UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K/A
(Amendment No. 1)

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006

Commission File Number 1-16609


ALLIANCE IMAGING, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE

 

33-0239910

(State of other jurisdiction of
Incorporation or organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification Number)

 

1900 S. State College Blvd., Suite 600, Anaheim, California 92806

(Address of principal executive office) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (714) 688-7100

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class

Common Stock, Par Value $0.01

Name of each Exchange on which Registered
New York Stock Exchange

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o    No x

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o    No x

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, as amended, 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 x    No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K/A or any amendment to this Form 10-K/A. x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Large accelerated filer o    Accelerated filer x    Non-accelerated filer o

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

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of March 9, 2007, based upon the closing price of the Common Stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on such date, was $181,355,179.

The number of shares outstanding of Common Stock, par value $0.01, as of March 9, 2007 was 49,968,072 shares.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

The Registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 30, 2007 is incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K/A to the extent stated herein.

 




ALLIANCE IMAGING, INC.
FORM 10-K/A
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2006
Explanatory Note

Alliance Imaging, Inc. (the “Company”) is filing this Amendment No. 1 to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006 (the “2006 10-K”), originally filed on March 16, 2007, to restate its consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and its consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income, consolidated statements of cash flows and consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficit for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, and related disclosures. Please refer to Note 17 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Subsequent to the filing of the 2006 10-K, the Company identified an error with respect to the accounting for interest rate swap agreements. The swap agreements were executed in 2004 and mature at various dates in 2007. Since inception the Company had recorded the unrealized gains and losses in fair value of the swap agreements through other comprehensive income (loss). The Company has determined that these transactions do not meet the requirements for hedge accounting treatment and any unrealized gains or losses should have been recognized through earnings.

This Amendment No. 1 does not result in a change in the Company’s previously reported revenues, cash flow from operations or total cash and cash equivalents shown in its consolidated financial statements. Furthermore, the Company has not modified or updated disclosures presented in the 2006 10-K in this Form 10-K/A, except as required to reflect the effects of the items discussed above. Accordingly, this Form 10-K/A does not reflect events occurring after the filing of the 2006 10-K or modify or update those disclosures affected by subsequent events or discoveries. Information not affected by this restatement is unchanged and reflects the disclosures made at the time of the original filing of the 2006 10-K on March 16, 2007. Events occurring after the filing of the 2006 10-K or other disclosures necessary to reflect subsequent events are addressed in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q/A for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2007, which was filed concurrently with the filing of this Form 10-K/A, and any reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission subsequent to the date of this filing.

This Form 10-K/A should be read in conjunction with the Company’s filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission subsequent to the filing of the 2006 10-K. The following items have been amended as a result of the restatements described above:

Part II—Item 6—Selected Financial Data

Part II—Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Part II—Item 7A—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Part II—Item 8—Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Part II—Item 9A—Controls and Procedures

 




PART I

Item 1.                        Business.

General

We are a leading national provider of shared-service and fixed-site diagnostic imaging services, based upon annual revenue and number of diagnostic imaging systems deployed. Our principal sources of revenue are derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET and PET/CT). Unless the context otherwise requires, the words “we” “us” and “our” as used in this Form 10-K/A refers to Alliance Imaging, Inc. and our direct and indirect subsidiaries. We provide imaging and therapeutic services primarily to hospitals and other healthcare providers on a shared-service and full-time service basis. We also provide services through a growing number of fixed-sites, primarily to hospitals or health systems. Our services normally include the use of our imaging systems, technologists to operate the systems, equipment maintenance and upgrades and management of day-to-day shared-service and fixed-site diagnostic imaging operations. We also provide non scan-based services, which includes only the use of our imaging systems under a short-term contract. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, MRI services and PET and PET/CT services generated 62% and 29% of our revenue, respectively. The remaining revenue was comprised of other modality diagnostic imaging services revenue, primarily computed tomography (CT), and management contract revenue. We had 489 diagnostic imaging systems, including 331 MRI systems, 73 PET or PET/CT systems, 40 CT systems and 45 other systems, and served over 1,000 clients in 43 states at December 31, 2006. Of these 489 diagnostic imaging systems, 68 were located at fixed-sites, which constitutes systems installed in hospitals or other buildings on hospital campuses, including modular buildings, systems installed inside medical groups’ offices, or medical buildings, and free-standing fixed-sites, which includes systems installed in a medical office building, ambulatory surgical center, or other retail space. Of these 68 fixed-sites, 57 were MRI fixed-sites, four were PET or PET/CT fixed-sites and seven were other modality fixed-sites. In addition, through Alliance Oncology, a joint venture, we have recently begun a new initiative to build and operate radiation therapy centers primarily by partnering with hospitals in a manner similar to our existing MRI and PET and PET/CT business. Two of these centers are currently operational and several more are in development.

Approximately 87% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2006 were generated by providing services to hospitals and other healthcare providers, which we refer to as wholesale revenues. Our wholesale revenues are typically generated from contracts that require our clients to pay us based on the number of scans we perform, although some pay us a flat fee for a period of time regardless of the number of scans we perform. These payments are due to us independently of our clients’ receipt of reimbursement from third-party payors. For shared-service customers, we typically deliver our services for a set number of days per week through exclusive, long-term contracts with hospitals and other healthcare providers. The terms of these contracts average approximately three years in length. Our contracts for our fixed-sites average approximately five to 10 years in length. We price our contracts based on the type of system used, the scan volume and the number of ancillary services being provided. Pricing is also affected by competitive pressures.

Our clients, primarily small-to-mid-sized hospitals, contract with us to provide diagnostic imaging systems and services in order to:

·       take advantage of our extensive diagnostic imaging and project management experience;

·       avoid capital investment and financial risk associated with the purchase of their own systems;

·       provide access to MRI, PET and PET/CT and other services for their patients when the demand for these services does not justify the purchase of a dedicated, full-time system;

·       benefit from upgraded imaging systems without direct capital expenditures;

·       eliminate the need to recruit, train and manage qualified technologists;

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·       make use of our ancillary services; and

·       gain access to services under our regulatory and licensing approvals when they do not have these approvals

Significant 2006 Corporate Events

On November 2, 2006 we announced the resignation of Andrew P. Hayek, president and chief operating officer, effective January 5, 2007.

On November 13, 2006, we announced the promotion of Michael F. Frisch to executive vice president and chief operating officer effective January 5, 2007. Prior to his appointment, from September 2004, Mr. Frisch served as senior vice president, southeast region, and as regional vice president, mid-atlantic region from November 2002 to August 2004. From January 1999 through October 2002, Mr. Frisch served as senior vice president-regional operations of American Dental Partners, a dental practice management company.

On November 27, 2006, affiliates of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (“KKR”) sold 9.2 million shares of our common stock in an underwritten secondary public offering. Following completion of the offering, KKR beneficially owned approximately 52% of our outstanding shares of common stock. We did not sell any shares and did not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares in the public offering.

Industry Overview

Diagnostic imaging services are noninvasive procedures that generate representations of the internal anatomy and convert them to film or digital media. Diagnostic imaging systems facilitate the early diagnosis of diseases and disorders, often minimizing the cost and amount of care required and reducing the need for costly and invasive diagnostic procedures. Radiation therapy (“RT”) is the use of high-energy radiation to treat cancer. The market of RT providers is highly fragmented with approximately 70% of services still performed in hospitals.

MRI

MRI technology involves the use of high-strength magnetic fields to produce computer-processed cross-sectional images of the body. Due to its superior image quality, MRI is the preferred imaging technology for evaluating soft tissue and organs, including the brain, spinal cord and other internal anatomy. With advances in MRI technology, MRI is increasingly being used for new applications such as imaging of the heart, chest and abdomen. Conditions that can be detected by MRI include multiple sclerosis, tumors, strokes, infections, and injuries to the spine, joints, ligaments, and tendons. Unlike x-rays and computed tomography, which are other diagnostic imaging technologies, MRI does not expose patients to potentially harmful radiation.

MRI technology was first patented in 1974, and MRI systems first became commercially available in 1983. Since then, manufacturers have offered increasingly sophisticated MRI systems and related software to increase the speed of each scan and improve image quality. Magnet strengths are measured in tesla, and MRI systems typically use magnets with strengths ranging from 0.2 to 1.5 tesla. The 1.0 and 1.5 tesla strengths are generally considered optimal because they are strong enough to produce relatively fast scans but are not so strong as to create discomfort for most patients. Manufacturers have worked to gradually enhance other components of the machines to make them more versatile. Many of the hardware and software systems in recently manufactured machines are modular and can be upgraded for much lower costs than purchasing new systems.

The MRI industry has experienced growth as a result of:

·       recognition of MRI as a cost-effective, noninvasive diagnostic tool;

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·       superior soft-tissue image quality of MRI versus that of other diagnostic imaging technologies;

·       wider physician acceptance and availability of MRI technology;

·       growth in the number of MRI applications;

·       MRI’s safety when compared to other diagnostic imaging technologies, because it does not use potentially harmful radiation; and

·       increased overall demand for healthcare services, including diagnostic services, for the aging population.

PET and PET/CT

PET is a nuclear medicine procedure that produces images of the body’s metabolic and biologic functions. PET can provide earlier detection of certain cancers, coronary diseases or neurologic problems than other diagnostic imaging systems. It is also useful for the monitoring of these conditions. PET can detect the presence of disease at an early stage. The ability of PET technology to measure metabolic activity assists in the identification of lesions and the assessment of organ health. A growing body of clinical research supports PET as a diagnostic tool for cancer diagnosis, staging, and treatment monitoring. Early detection of these conditions enables a broader range of treatments. The recent expansion of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) coverage has driven the growth of PET. Since 1998, CMS has expanded reimbursement of PET procedures from two indications to 39 indications, which include the diagnosis, staging, and restaging of lung, esophageal, colorectal, breast, head and neck cancers, lymphoma, and melanoma. Additionally, PET reimbursement coverage includes PET scans for diagnosis and treatment of dementia and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as expanded national PET reimbursement coverage for brain, cervical, ovarian, pancreatic, small lung cell, and testicular cancer. Under this national coverage determination, PET is to be covered for detection of pre-treatment metastases in newly diagnosed cervical cancer, as well as for brain, ovarian, pancreatic, small cell lung, and testicular cancers, where provided as part of certain types of clinical trials.

A PET/CT system fuses together the results of a PET and CT scan at the scanner level. The PET portion of the scan detects the metabolic signal of cancer cells and the CT portion of the scan provides a detailed image of the internal anatomy that reveals the location, size and shape of abnormal cancerous growths.

Other Diagnostic Imaging Services

·       Computed Tomography or CT.   In CT imaging, a computer analyzes the information received from an x-ray beam to produce multiple cross-sectional images of a particular organ or area of the body. CT imaging is used to detect tumors and other conditions affecting bones and internal organs.

·       Other Diagnostic Imaging Services.   Other diagnostic imaging technologies include: nuclear medicine or gamma camera, ultrasound, mammography, general fluoroscopy, bone densitometry and general x-ray.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation to treat cancer. The radiation diminishes cancer cells’ ability to reproduce, which causes the body to naturally dispose of these cells. Approximately 60% of new cancer patients are treated with radiation therapy each year. Radiation therapy is often used together with other oncology treatments such as chemotherapy and surgical oncology.

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Imaging Settings

MRI, PET and other diagnostic imaging services are typically provided in one of the following settings:

·       Hospitals and Clinics.   Imaging systems are located in and owned and operated by a hospital or clinic. These systems are primarily used by patients of the hospital or clinic, and the hospital or clinic bills third-party payors, such as health insurers, including Medicare or Medicaid.

·       Independent Imaging Centers.   Imaging systems are located in permanent facilities not generally owned by hospitals or clinics. These centers depend upon physician referrals for their patients and generally do not maintain dedicated, contractual relationships with hospitals or clinics. In fact, these centers may compete with hospitals or clinics that have their own systems to provide imaging services to these patients. Like hospitals and clinics, these centers bill third-party payors for their services.

·       Outsourced.   Imaging systems, largely located in mobile trailers but also provided in fixed facilities, provide services to a hospital or clinic on a shared-service or full-time basis. Generally, the hospital or clinic contracts with the imaging service provider to perform scans of its patients, and the imaging service provider is paid directly by that hospital or clinic instead of by a third-party payor.

Our Competitive Strengths

A Leading National Provider of Shared-Service and Fixed-Site MRI and PET and PET/CT Services

We are a leading national provider of shared-service and fixed-site MRI, PET and PET/CT services, based on annual revenue and number of diagnostic imaging systems deployed. As of December 31, 2006, we had 331 MRI systems, 73 PET or PET/CT systems, 40 CT systems and 45 other systems in operation.

We believe our size allows us to achieve operating, purchasing and administrative efficiencies, including:

·       the ability to maximize utilization through efficient deployment of our mobile systems;

·       equipment purchasing savings from equipment manufacturers; and

·       favorable service and maintenance contracts from equipment manufacturers

We also believe our size has enabled us to establish a well-recognized brand name and an experienced management team with a detailed knowledge of the competitive and regulatory environments within the diagnostic imaging services industry. This reputation and knowledge has enabled us to become one of the first companies to work with hospitals to develop and provide radiation oncology therapy services. PET and PET/CT, which is often used for early detection of cancer, provides us with a unique ability to leverage our hospital relationships and capitalize on this fast growing therapeutic sector.

Comprehensive Diagnostic Imaging Solution

We offer our clients a comprehensive diagnostic imaging solution, which includes our imaging services and ancillary services, such as marketing support, education, training and billing assistance. In some cases, we provide services under our regulatory and licensing approvals for clients who lack such approvals. We believe that a comprehensive diagnostic imaging solution is an important factor when potential clients select a diagnostic imaging provider. We also believe that some clients recognize the benefits of our solution and will continue to contract for our diagnostic imaging services or enter into a joint venture with us even if their scan volume may justify the purchase of their own imaging system.

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Exclusive, Long-Term Contracts with a Diverse Client Base

We primarily generate our revenues from exclusive, long-term contracts with hospitals and other healthcare providers. These contracts average approximately three years in length for mobile services and approximately five to 10 years in length for fixed-site arrangements. These contracts often contain automatic renewal provisions and certain contracts have cancellation clauses if the hospital or other healthcare provider purchases their own systems. At December 31, 2006, we served over 1,000 clients in 43 states and, during 2006, no single client accounted for more than 2% of our revenue.

Reduced Reimbursement Risk

Generally, hospitals, clinics and independent imaging centers bill patients or third-party payors, such as health insurers, for their imaging services. In contrast, for the year ended December 31, 2006, approximately 87% of our revenues were generated by providing services to hospitals and other healthcare providers, which we refer to as wholesale revenues. Our wholesale revenues are typically generated from contracts that require hospitals and clinics to pay us based on the number of scans we perform on patients on our clients’ behalf, although some pay us a flat fee for a period of time regardless of the number of scans we perform. These payments are due to us regardless of our clients’ receipt of reimbursement from third-party payors. Accordingly, our exposure to uncollectible patient receivables is minimized, as evidenced by our bad debt expense of only 0.9% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2006. Moreover, we believe that the number of days outstanding for our accounts receivable, which was 46 days as of December 31, 2006, is among the more favorable in the healthcare services industry.

Stable and Significant Cash Flow Generation

We have produced strong cash flows and maintained attractive margins over a sustained period of time. We attribute this to: (1) our comprehensive imaging solutions, (2) the substantial value we offer our customers, (3) the strength of our customer relationships, (4) the largely wholesale nature of our revenues and (5) our economies of scale.

Experienced Management Team

Our senior management team consists of professionals with significant experience within the hospital and healthcare services industry. Our four executive officers have over 50 years of industry experience.

Advanced MRI and PET and PET/CT Systems

Our technologically advanced systems can perform high quality scans more rapidly and can be used for a wider variety of imaging applications than less advanced systems. Approximately 96% of our MRI systems, specifically 1.0 and 1.5 tesla, are equipped with high-strength magnets that allow high-speed imaging. Moreover, technological change in this field is gradual and most of our systems can be upgraded with software and hardware enhancements, which should allow us to continue to provide advanced technology without purchasing entire new systems.

We have continued to make a significant investment in PET and PET/CT systems. In October 2005, we added nine PET and PET/CT systems to our fleet through the acquisition of PET Scans of America Corporation. We acquired our first PET system in 1999 and own 73 PET or PET/CT systems as of December 31, 2006.

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Our Services

As of December 31, 2006, we provided our outsourcing services on the following bases:

·       Shared Service.   We offered 55% of our diagnostic imaging systems on a part-time basis. These systems are located in mobile trailers which are transported to our clients’ locations. We schedule deployment of these mobile systems so that multiple clients can share use of the same system. The typical shared-service contract averages approximately three years in length.

·       Full-Time Service.   We offered 30% of our diagnostic imaging systems on a full-time, long-term basis. These systems are located in either mobile units or buildings located at or near a hospital or clinic. Full-time service systems are provided for the exclusive use of a particular hospital or clinic. We typically offer full-time services under contracts that range from five to ten years in length. Our relationships with our higher-volume shared-service clients have, from time to time, evolved into full-time arrangements.

·       Interim and Rental Services.   We offered 15% of our diagnostic imaging systems to clients on an unstaffed basis. These systems are located in mobile trailers which are transported to our clients’ locations. These clients may be unable to maintain the extra capacity to accommodate periods of peak demand for imaging services or may require temporary assistance until they can develop permanent imaging service centers at or near their facilities. Generally, we do not provide technologists to operate our systems in these arrangements.

Our Strategy

Key components of our strategy include:

Focus on Diversification Through Growth Products.   We will continue to operate our mobile, shared-service MRI business to maximize efficiency, clinical excellence and cash flow. However, we are also focused on diversifying and growing our business through the identification of additional services or new technologies which can be deployed on behalf of our hospital and healthcare clients, including:

·       PET/CT.   We are one of the largest national PET/CT providers in the United States. At December 31, 2006 we had 69 mobile PET or PET/CT systems and four fixed-site systems. Strong industry growth in the PET and PET/CT market provides a significant opportunity for our company. We see potential for growth through increases in Medicare-approved procedures and greater physician acceptance of PET procedures.

·       Fixed Sites.   Our fixed-site contracts generally last for five to 10 years. Since January 1, 2003, we have opened 47 fixed sites and increased fixed-site revenues by 114%. We plan to continue to profitably grow our fixed-site business line through an aggressive, but disciplined growth strategy focused on partnerships with hospitals and fact-based, analytical screening processes.

·       Radiation Therapy.   Within oncology, radiation therapy is an established, growing form of treatment that exhibits strong operating margins and a high return on investment. RT represents a significant opportunity for us, as PET/CT technology is increasingly used for the early detection of cancer and approximately 60% of new cancer cases are treated with RT each year. Alliance Oncology, our joint venture, is currently developing radiation therapy centers in partnership with hospitals. Two of these centers are currently open and several more are in development. The growth in RT as part of our business mix is supported by strong demand from hospitals for assistance in upgrading to the latest RT technology (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, or IMRT, and Image Guided Radiation Therapy, or IGRT), the increasing incidence of cancer, our unparalleled PET/CT capabilities and the growing use of PET/CT scans.

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Improvement of our Sales Force.   We are focused on improving our sales management and sales support infrastructure to improve the pace of new business. We believe a strengthened sales force will enable us to further diversify our business, pursue growth in low market share territories and focus on converting mature mobile customers to fixed sites. The ability of our sales force to effectively cross-sell mobile and fixed-site MRI, mobile and fixed-site PET/CT and radiation therapy will provide us with future growth and margin enhancement. Some of our sales force initiatives include new training programs, marketing campaigns and account coverage models. We also have improved commission and incentive programs for our sales managers to align them with our company’s initiatives.

Improve Operating Efficiency.   We are focused on reducing our cost structure and improving asset allocation. Since 2005, we have decreased the number of our business regions from 10 to four, while standardizing certain policies and procedures nationwide. In doing so, we believe we will continue to benefit from our regional managers’ direct contact and knowledge of markets we serve, while ensuring quality, consistency and efficiency across all regions. Other initiatives include developing new vendor relationships and actively managing our mobile systems to increase their utilization through improved route efficiency.

Focus on Patient Care and Customer Service.   We are dedicated to the highest level of patient care standards and clinical performance improvement. We strive to provide a variety of solutions designed to meet the needs of our customers by developing new surveying tools for both patients and customers. These surveying tools provide performance-driven data to improve levels of satisfaction for all of our products.

As a result of our efforts, we have achieved the highest levels of accreditation. We were the first national provider of shared-imaging services to be awarded accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, or JCAHO, in 1998. All of our sites and centers are JCAHO accredited or American College of Radiology certified. We have also restructured our marketing function so that our marketing teams are regionally based, enabling us to better understand our patient and customer needs, and thereby improving our service to them.

Focus on a Unified Culture.   Our business mix has significantly diversified over the past several years. Because of this, we have made it a priority to develop a cohesive culture based upon a shared set of core values, including (i) clinical quality and excellence, (ii) integrity and ethics, (iii) respect, (iv) teamwork and (v) accountability. Our values are stewarded by a management team with a history of clinical excellence combined with practical experience. Some of our specific actions have been to establish clear and consistent performance expectations and invest in key training for sales and operations management personnel.

Selectively Pursue Acquisitions.   We intend to maintain our market positions by selectively pursuing strategic acquisitions. Changes in the rates or methods of third-party reimbursement for diagnostic imaging services could severely impact our smaller competitors and result in a unique buying opportunity for us. We are particularly focused on acquiring fixed-sites located in Certificate of Need, or CON, regulated states. In some states, a CON or similar regulatory approval is required prior to the acquisition of diagnostic imaging systems or service, resulting in a barrier to entry for competitors without a CON. In October 2005, we acquired PET Scans of America, a mobile provider of PET and PET/CT services exclusively serving hospitals, many of which are located in CON states.

Contracts and Payment

Our typical MRI and PET and PET/CT contract is exclusive, averages approximately three years in length for mobile services and five to 10 years in length for fixed-site arrangements, and often includes an automatic renewal provision. Most of our contracts require a fee for each scan we perform. With other contracts, clients are billed on a fixed-fee basis for a period of time, regardless of the number of scans performed. These fee levels are affected primarily by the type of imaging system provided, scan volume

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and the number of ancillary services provided. These payments are due to us independent of our clients’ receipt of reimbursement from third-party payors. Approximately 87% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2006 were generated by providing these services to hospitals and other healthcare providers. To a lesser extent, our revenues are generated from direct billings to patients or their medical payors. Approximately 13% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2006 were generated by providing services directly to patients or their medical payors. We typically reserve the right to reduce a client’s number of service days or terminate an unprofitable contract.

Imaging Systems

As of December 31, 2006, we operated 489 diagnostic imaging systems, comprised of 331 MRI systems and 73 PET or PET/CT systems (excluding three systems owned by unconsolidated joint ventures), 40 CT systems and 45 other systems, substantially all of which we own. Of these 489 diagnostic imaging systems, 68 were located at fixed-sites, which are classified into three categories. The first category is hospital-based fixed-sites, which includes systems installed in hospitals or other buildings on hospital campuses, including modular buildings. The second category is physician-based fixed-sites, which includes systems installed inside medical groups’ offices, most of which are owned by hospitals. The third category is free-standing fixed-sites, which includes systems installed in a medical office building, ambulatory surgical center, or other retail space. Of these fixed-sites, 38 were hospital-based fixed-sites, 13 were physician-based fixed-sites, and 17 were free-standing fixed-sites of full-time systems under a long-term contract. Of the 68 fixed sites at December 31, 2006, there were 57 MRI fixed sites, 4 PET or PET/CT fixed sites and 7 other modality fixed sites. We have made significant investments in our systems in an effort to ensure that we maintain the newest, most advanced imaging systems that meet our clients’ needs. Moreover, because we can upgrade most of our current MRI and PET and PET/CT systems, we believe we have reduced the potential for technological obsolescence.

We purchase our imaging systems from major medical equipment manufacturers, primarily General Electric Medical Systems and Siemens Medical Systems. Generally, we contract with clients for new or expanded services prior to ordering new imaging systems in order to reduce our system utilization risk. As one of the largest commercial purchasers of MRI and PET/CT systems in the United States, we believe we receive relatively attractive pricing for equipment and service contracts from these equipment manufacturers.

Regional Structure

In 2005 we organized our operations into five geographic regions, and effective January 2006, we consolidated our five geographic regions into four geographic regions. We have a local presence in each region, none of which accounts for more than 27% of our revenues. We believe we will continue to benefit from our regional managers’ direct contact with and knowledge of the markets we serve, which allows us to address the specific needs of each local operating environment. Each region continues to market, manage and staff the operation of its imaging systems and is run as a separate profit center responsible for its own revenues, expenses and overhead. To complement this regional arrangement, we continue to have standardized contracts, operating policies and other procedures, which are implemented nationwide in an effort to ensure quality, consistency and efficiency across all regions. For the purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, “Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” we have aggregated the results of our four geographic regions into one reportable segment.

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System Management and Maintenance

We actively manage deployment of our imaging systems to increase their utilization through the coordinated transportation of our mobile systems using 226 power units. We examine client requirements, route patterns, travel times, fuel costs and system availability in our deployment process. Our shared-service MRI systems are currently scheduled for as little as one-half day and up to seven days per week at any particular client, with an average usage of 2.3 days per week per client. Drivers typically move the systems at night and activate them upon arrival at each client location so that the systems are operational when our technologists arrive.

Timely, effective maintenance is essential for achieving high utilization rates of our MRI systems. We contract with the original equipment manufacturers for comprehensive maintenance programs on our systems to minimize the period of time the equipment is unavailable. System repair typically takes less than one day but could take longer, depending upon the nature of the repair. During the warranty period and maintenance contract term, we receive guarantees related to equipment operation and availability.

Sales and Marketing

As of December 31, 2006, our national sales force and sales support staff consisted of 36 members who identify and contact potential clients. We also had 47 marketing representatives, as of such date, who are focused on increasing the number of scans performed with our systems by educating physicians about our new imaging applications and service capabilities. The sales force is organized regionally under the oversight of regional vice presidents and senior management. Furthermore, certain of our executive officers and regional vice presidents also spend a portion of their time participating in contract negotiations.

Competition

The market for diagnostic imaging services is highly fragmented and has few national imaging service providers. We believe that the key competitive factors affecting our business include:

·       the quality and reliability of service;

·       the quality and type of equipment available;

·       the availability of types of imaging and ancillary services;

·       the availability of imaging center locations and flexibility of scheduling;

·       pricing;

·       the knowledge and service quality of technologists;

·       the ability to obtain regulatory approvals; and

·       the ability to establish and maintain relationships with healthcare providers and referring physicians.

We are, and expect to continue to be, subject to competition in our targeted markets from businesses offering diagnostic imaging services, including existing and developing technologies. There are many companies engaged in the shared-service and fixed-site imaging market, including one national competitor and many smaller regional competitors. While we believe that we had a greater number of diagnostic imaging systems in operation at the end of 2006 than our principal competitors and also had greater revenue from diagnostic imaging services during our 2006 fiscal year than they did, some of our competitors may now or in the future have access to greater resources than we do. We compete with other mobile providers, independent imaging centers, physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers that have their own diagnostic imaging systems, and original equipment manufacturers that sell or lease

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imaging systems to healthcare providers for mobile or full-time use. We may also experience greater competition in states that currently have certificates of need laws should these laws be repealed, thereby reducing barriers to entry in that state.

Employees

As of December 31, 2006, we had 1,955 employees, of whom 1,476 were trained diagnostic imaging technologists, patient coordinators, drivers or other technical support staff. The drivers in a portion of one of our regions, approximately 33 employees, are represented by the Teamsters union as their collective bargaining agent. We believe we have good relationships with our employees, based on the annual Team Member survey, which indicates Team Member satisfaction.

Regulation

Our business is subject to extensive federal and state government regulation. This includes the federal Anti-Kickback Law and similar state anti-kickback laws, the Stark Law and similar state laws affecting physician referrals, the federal False Claims Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and similar state laws addressing privacy and security, state unlawful practice of medicine and fee splitting laws and state certificate of need laws. Although we believe that our operations materially comply with the laws governing our industry, it is possible that non-compliance with existing laws or the adoption of new laws or interpretations of existing laws could adversely affect our financial performance.

Fraud and Abuse Laws; Physician Referral Prohibitions

The healthcare industry is subject to extensive federal and state regulation relating to licensure, conduct of operations, ownership of facilities, addition of facilities and services and payment for services.

In particular, the federal Anti-Kickback Law prohibits persons from knowingly and willfully soliciting, receiving, offering or providing remuneration, directly or indirectly, to induce either the referral of an individual, or the furnishing, recommending, or arranging for a good or service, for which payment may be made under a federal healthcare program such as the Medicare and Medicaid Programs. The definition of “remuneration” has been broadly interpreted to include anything of value, including for example gifts, discounts, the furnishing of supplies or equipment, credit arrangements, payments of cash, waivers of payments, ownership interests, and providing anything at less than its fair market value. In addition, there is no one generally accepted definition of intent for purposes of finding a violation of the Anti-Kickback Law. For instance, one court has stated that an arrangement will violate the Anti-Kickback Law where any party has the intent to unlawfully induce referrals. In contrast, another court has opined that a party must engage in the proscribed conduct with the specific intent to disobey the law in order to be found in violation of the Anti-Kickback Law. The lack of uniform interpretation of the Anti-Kickback Law makes compliance with the law difficult. The penalties for violating the Anti-Kickback Law can be severe. These sanctions include criminal penalties and civil sanctions, including fines, imprisonment and possible exclusion from the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

The Anti-Kickback Law is broad, and it prohibits many arrangements and practices that are lawful in businesses outside of the healthcare industry. Recognizing that the Anti-Kickback Law is broad and may technically prohibit many innocuous or beneficial arrangements within the healthcare industry, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued regulations in July of 1991, which the Department has referred to as “safe harbors.” These safe harbor regulations set forth certain provisions which, if met in form and substance, will assure healthcare providers and other parties that they will not be prosecuted under the federal Anti-Kickback Law. Additional safe harbor provisions providing similar protections have been published intermittently since 1991. Our arrangements with physicians, physician practice groups, hospitals and other persons or entities who are in a position to refer may not fully meet the stringent criteria specified in the various safe harbors. Although full compliance with these provisions ensures

11




against prosecution under the federal Anti-Kickback Law, the failure of a transaction or arrangement to fit within a specific safe harbor does not necessarily mean that the transaction or arrangement is illegal or that prosecution under the federal Anti-Kickback Law will be pursued. In addition, the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services, or OIG, issued a Special Advisory Bulletin on Contractual Joint Ventures in April 2003. The OIG Bulletin stated the Department’s concerns regarding the legality of certain joint contractual arrangements between providers and suppliers of health care items or services. The OIG Bulletin identified characteristics of arrangements the OIG may consider suspect, and focused on arrangements in which a health care provider expands into a related service, through a joint contractual arrangement with an existing supplier of the related service, to service the health care provider’s existing patient population. The OIG noted that such arrangements may be suspect when the provider contracts out all or nearly all aspects of the new venture, including the management, to the existing supplier, and provides only an existing patient base. In the OIG Bulletin, the OIG asserted that the provider’s return on its investment in such circumstances may be viewed as remuneration for the referral of the provider’s federal health care program patients to the supplier, and thus may violate the Anti-Kickback Law.

Although some of our arrangements may not fall within a safe harbor, we believe that such business arrangements do not violate the Anti-Kickback Law because we are careful to structure them to reflect fair market value and ensure that the reasons underlying our decision to enter into a business arrangement comport with reasonable interpretations of the Anti-Kickback Law. However, even though we continuously strive to comply with the requirements of the Anti-Kickback Law, liability under the Anti-Kickback Law may still arise because of the intentions or actions of the parties with whom we do business. In addition, we may have Anti-Kickback Law liability based on arrangements established by the entities we have acquired if any of those arrangements involved an intention or actions to exchange remuneration for referrals covered by the Anti-Kickback Law. While we are not aware of any such intentions or actions, we have only limited knowledge regarding the intentions or actions underlying those arrangements. Conduct and business arrangements that do not fully satisfy one of these safe harbor provisions may result in increased scrutiny by government enforcement authorities such as the OIG.

Many states have adopted laws similar to the federal Anti-Kickback Law. Some of these state prohibitions apply to referral of patients for healthcare services reimbursed by any source, not only the Medicare and Medicaid Programs. Although we believe that we comply with both federal and state anti-kickback laws, any finding of a violation of these laws could subject us to criminal and civil penalties or possible exclusion from federal or state healthcare programs. Such penalties would adversely affect our financial performance and our ability to operate our business.

In addition, the Ethics in Patient Referral Act of 1989, commonly referred to as the federal physician self-referral prohibition or Stark Law, prohibits physician referrals of Medicare and Medicaid patients for certain designated health services (including MRI and other diagnostic imaging services) to an entity if the physician or an immediate family member has any financial arrangement with the entity and no statutory or regulatory exception applies. The Stark Law also prohibits the entity from billing for any such prohibited referral. Initially, the Stark Law applied only to clinical laboratory services and regulations applicable to clinical laboratory services were issued in 1995. Earlier that same year, the Stark Law’s self-referral prohibition expanded to additional goods and services, including MRI and other imaging services. In 1998, CMS (formerly known as the Health Care Financing Administration), published proposed rules for the remaining designated health services, including MRI and other imaging services, and in January of 2001, CMS published the first phase of the final rule covering the designated health services. Phase one of the final rule became effective on January 4, 2002, except for a provision relating to certain physician payment arrangements, which became effective July 26, 2004. CMS released phase two of the Stark Law final rule as a final rule comment period on March 23, 2004, with an effective date of July 26, 2004.

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A person who engages in a scheme to circumvent the Stark Law’s referral prohibition may be fined for each such arrangement or scheme. In addition, any person who presents or causes to be presented a claim to the Medicare or Medicaid Program in violation of the Stark Law is subject to civil monetary penalties per bill submission, an assessment of up to three times the amount claimed, and possible exclusion from participation in federal healthcare programs. Bills submitted in violation of the Stark Law may not be paid by Medicare or Medicaid, and any person collecting any amounts with respect to any such prohibited bill is obligated to refund such amounts.

Several states in which we operate have enacted or are considering legislation that prohibits physician self-referral arrangements or requires physicians to disclose any financial interest they may have with a healthcare provider to their patients when referring patients to that provider. Possible sanctions for violating these state law physician self-referral and disclosure requirements include loss of license and civil and criminal sanctions. State laws vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and have been interpreted by the courts or regulatory agencies infrequently.

We believe our operations comply with these federal and state physician self-referral prohibition laws. We do not believe we have established any arrangements or schemes involving any service of ours which would violate the Stark Law or the prohibition against schemes designed to circumvent the Stark Law, or any similar state law prohibitions. Because we have financial arrangements with physicians and possibly their immediate family members, and because we may not be aware of all the financial arrangements such physicians and their immediate family members may have with entities to which they refer patients, we rely on physicians and their immediate family members to avoid making prohibited referrals to us in violation of the Stark Law and similar state laws. If we receive a prohibited referral which is not permitted under an exception to the Stark Law and applicable state law, our submission of a bill for the referral could subject us to sanctions under the Stark Law and applicable state law. Any sanctions imposed on us under the Stark Law or any similar state laws could adversely affect our financial results and our ability to operate our business.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, created new federal statutes to prevent healthcare fraud and false statements relating to healthcare matters. The healthcare fraud statute prohibits knowingly and willfully executing a scheme to defraud any healthcare benefit program, including private payors. A violation of this statute is a felony and may result in fines, imprisonment or exclusion from government sponsored programs such as the Medicare and Medicaid Programs. The false statements statute prohibits knowingly and willfully falsifying, concealing or covering up a material fact or making any materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statement in connection with the delivery of or payment for healthcare benefits, items or services. A violation of this statute is a felony and may result in fines or imprisonment or exclusion from government sponsored programs.

Both federal and state government agencies are continuing heightened and coordinated civil and criminal enforcement efforts. As part of announced enforcement agency work plans, the federal government will continue to scrutinize, among other things, the billing practices of hospitals and other providers of healthcare services. The federal government also has increased funding to fight healthcare fraud, and it is coordinating its enforcement efforts among various agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, and state Medicaid fraud control units. We believe that the healthcare industry will continue to be subject to increased government scrutiny and investigations.

Federal False Claims Act

Another trend affecting the healthcare industry is the increased use of the federal False Claims Act and, in particular, actions under the False Claims Act’s “whistleblower” provisions. Those provisions allow a private individual to bring actions on behalf of the government alleging that the defendant has defrauded the federal government. After the individual has initiated the lawsuit, the government must decide whether

13




to intervene in the lawsuit and to become the primary prosecutor. If the government declines to join the lawsuit, then the individual may choose to pursue the case alone, in which case the individual’s counsel will have primary control over the prosecution, although the government must be kept apprised of the progress of the lawsuit. Whether or not the federal government intervenes in the case, it will receive the majority of any recovery. If the litigation is successful, the individual is entitled to no less than 15%, but no more than 30%, of whatever amount the government recovers. The percentage of the individual’s recovery varies, depending on whether the government intervened in the case and other factors. Recently, the number of suits brought against healthcare providers by private individuals has increased dramatically. In addition, various states are considering or have enacted laws modeled after the federal False Claims Act. Under the DRA, states are being encouraged to adopt false claims acts similar to the federal False Claims Act, which establish liability for submission of fraudulent claims to the State Medicaid Program and contain whistleblower provisions. Even in instances when a whistleblower action is dismissed with no judgment or settlement, we may incur substantial legal fees and other costs relating to an investigation. Future actions under the False Claims Act may result in significant fines and legal fees, which would adversely affect our financial performance and our ability to operate our business.

When an entity is determined to have violated the federal False Claims Act, it may be liable for damages and civil penalties. Liability arises, primarily, when an entity knowingly submits a false claim for reimbursement to the federal government. Simple negligence should not give rise to liability, but submitting a claim with reckless disregard of its truth or falsity could result in substantial civil liability.

Although simple negligence should not give rise to liability, the government or a whistleblower may attempt and could succeed in imposing liability on us for a variety of previous or current failures, including for example:

·       Failure to comply with the many technical billing requirements applicable to our Medicare and Medicaid business.

·       Failure to comply with Medicare requirements concerning the circumstances in which a hospital, rather than we, must bill Medicare for diagnostic imaging services we provide to outpatients treated by the hospital.

·       Failure of our hospital clients to accurately identify and report our reimbursable and allowable services to Medicare.

·       Failure to comply with the Anti-Kickback Law or Stark Law.

·       Failure to comply with the prohibition against billing for services ordered or supervised by a physician who is excluded from any federal healthcare programs, or the prohibition against employing or contracting with any person or entity excluded from any federal healthcare programs.

·       Failure to comply with the Medicare physician supervision requirements for the services we provide, or the Medicare documentation requirements concerning such physician supervision.

·       The past conduct of the companies we have acquired.

We strive to ensure that we meet applicable billing requirements. However, the costs of defending claims under the False Claims Act, as well as sanctions imposed under the Act, could significantly affect our financial performance.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996

In addition to creating the new federal statutes discussed above, HIPAA also establishes uniform standards governing the conduct of certain electronic health care transactions and protecting the security and privacy of individually identifiable health information maintained or transmitted by health care

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providers, health plans and health care clearinghouses. Three standards have been promulgated under HIPAA with which we currently are required to comply. We must comply with the Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information, which restrict our use and disclosure of certain individually identifiable health information. We have been required to comply with the Privacy Standards since April 14, 2003. We must also comply with the Standards for Electronic Transactions, which establish standards for common health care transactions, such as claims information, plan eligibility, payment information and the use of electronic signatures. We have been required to comply with these standards since October 16, 2003. We must also comply with the Security Standards, which require us to implement security measures to protect the security and integrity of certain electronic health information. We have been required to comply with these standards since April 21, 2005. We believe that we are in compliance with these standards. One other standard relevant to our use of medical information has been promulgated under HIPAA. CMS has published a final rule, which will require us to adopt Unique Health Identifiers for use in filing and processing health care claims and other transactions by May 23, 2007. While the government intended this legislation to reduce administrative expenses and burdens for the health care industry, our compliance with this law may entail significant and costly changes for us. If we fail to comply with these standards, we could be subject to criminal penalties and civil sanctions.

In addition to federal regulations issued under HIPAA, some states have enacted privacy and security statutes or regulations that, in some cases, are more stringent than those issued under HIPAA. In those cases it may be necessary to modify our operations and procedures to comply with the more stringent state laws, which may entail significant and costly changes for us. We believe that we are in compliance with such state laws and regulations. However, if we fail to comply with applicable state laws and regulations, we could be subject to additional sanctions.

Unlawful Practice of Medicine and Fee Splitting

The marketing and operation of our diagnostic imaging systems are subject to state laws prohibiting the practice of medicine by non-physicians. We believe that our operations do not involve the practice of medicine because all professional medical services relating to our operations, including the interpretation of scans and related diagnoses, are separately provided by licensed physicians not employed by us. Some states have laws that prohibit any fee-splitting arrangement between a physician and a referring person or entity that would provide for remuneration paid to the referral source on the basis of revenues generated from referrals by the referral source. We believe that our operations do not violate these state laws with respect to fee splitting.

Certificate of Need Laws

In some states, a certificate of need or similar regulatory approval is required prior to the acquisition of high-cost capital items, including diagnostic imaging systems or provision of diagnostic imaging services by us or our clients. Certificate of need regulations may limit or preclude us from providing diagnostic imaging services or systems. Revenue from states with certificate of need regulations represented greater than 40% of our total revenue in 2006.

Certificate of need laws were enacted to contain rising healthcare costs, prevent the unnecessary duplication of health resources, and increase patient access for health services. In practice, certificate of need laws have prevented hospitals and other providers who have been unable to obtain a certificate of need from acquiring new machines or offering new services. Our current contracts will remain in effect even if the certificate of need states in which we operate modify their certificate of need programs. However, a significant increase in the number of states regulating our business through certificate of need or similar programs could adversely affect us. Conversely, repeal of existing certificate of need regulations in jurisdictions where we have obtained a certificate of need, or certificate of need exemption, also could

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adversely affect us by allowing competitors to enter our markets. Certificate of need laws are the subject of continuing legislative activity.

Reimbursement

We derive most of our revenues directly from healthcare providers, primarily from acute-care hospitals, with whom we contract to provide services to their patients. Approximately 87% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2006 were generated by providing services to hospitals and other healthcare providers. Some of our revenues come from third-party payors, including government programs such as the Medicare Program, to whom we directly bill. We derive 13% of our revenues from direct billings to patients and their third-party payors. Services for which we submit direct billings for Medicare and Medicaid patients typically are processed by contractors and paid on a fee schedule basis, and patients are responsible for deductibles and coinsurance. Revenues from all our direct patient billings amounted to approximately 13% of our revenue in the year ended December 31, 2006.

Our revenues, whether from providers who bill third-party payors directly or from our own direct billings, are impacted by Medicare laws and regulations. The Medicare payment policies vary depending on the site of service. As a result of federal cost-containment legislation currently in effect, Medicare generally pays for hospital inpatient services under a prospective payment system. For acute hospital services, the prospective payment is generally based on the assignment to a classification upon a patient’s discharge, known as diagnosis related groups, or DRGs. The DRG payments are pre-determined payment amounts for inpatient services. The DRG payment amount generally covers all inpatient operating costs regardless of the number of conditions treated or services furnished or the length of the patient’s stay. In addition, because Medicare reimburses a hospital for all services rendered to a Medicare patient (both inpatient and outpatient), a free-standing facility cannot be separately reimbursed for an MRI scan or other procedure performed on the hospital patient. Many state Medicaid Programs have adopted comparable payment policies.

As to hospital outpatient services, Medicare payment generally is based on the hospital outpatient prospective payment system, or HOPPS, under which services and items furnished in most hospital outpatient departments are categorized into Ambulatory Payment Classifications, or APCs. Certain new procedures are classified as new technology APCs, which, unlike clinical APCs, are classifications based solely on hospital costs. After a two to three year period, the procedure classified under the new technology APC is assigned to a clinical APC. Under HOPPS, hospitals are paid based on procedures performed and items furnished during a patient visit. In addition to clinical and new technology APCs, certain of these items and services are paid on a fee schedule, and for certain drugs biologics, and devices, hospitals may be reimbursed pass-through amounts.

Under the 2005 update to HOPPS, which was announced in November 2004, nonmyocardial PET procedures were reclassified into a new technology APC cost band that differed from the new technology APC cost band assigned in 2004. As a result of the reclassification, the federal Medicare payment rate for PET scans provided in hospital outpatient departments declined from $1,450 to $1,150 in 2005. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, the federal Agency responsible for administering the Medicare program, delayed assigning these procedures to clinical APCs, which would be paid according to the median costs of the procedures assigned to the APC based on claims data, in response to concerns that doing so would reduce payments significantly and hinder beneficiary access to the technology. CMS again delayed the assignment to clinical APCs in 2006, retaining instead the 2005 payment rate for the nonmyocardial PET procedures. On November 1, 2006, CMS announced that, effective January 1, 2007, nonmyocardial PET procedures will be assigned to a clinical APC that is reimbursed at $855 per scan. In addition, CMS announced that concurrent PET/CT procedures will continue to be assigned to a new technology APC but will be reimbursed at $950 per scan for 2007. In 2005 and 2006, such concurrent PET/CT procedures had been assigned to a new technology APC that was paid at $1,250.

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As to myocardial PET procedures, from August 2000 to December 31, 2005, CMS assigned myocardial PET scans to a single clinical APC. Beginning in 2006, CMS reclassified single- and multiple-study myocardial PET procedures into two distinct clinical APCs, to reflect the significant cost differences between the procedures. For 2006, the federal Medicare payment rates for myocardial PET scans provided in hospital outpatient departments were $800.55 for a single-study myocardial PET scan and $2,484.88 for a multiple-study myocardial PET scan, an increase from the $735.77 rate for the procedures in 2005. Effective January 1, 2007, the single- and multiple-study myocardial PET procedures have been reclassified into a single clinical APC. For 2007, the federal Medicare payment rate for myocardial PET scans provided in hospital outpatient departments is $731.24, a decrease from the 2006 and 2005 rates. These reductions will not have a material adverse impact on our business.

The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, or MMA, also changed the way Medicare payments are made in many significant ways. For those hospitals with which we contract, changes include revisions to the methodology used to calculate payments for certain drugs, including radiopharmaceutical agents, which were paid as pass-throughs, or additional payment amounts under the hospital outpatient prospective payment system, on or before December 31, 2002. This change may have resulted in reduced payments to hospitals for diagnostic scans utilizing radiopharmaceuticals; however, this change did not have a material affect on pricing of our PET contracts with hospitals or our financial performance.

Services for which we bill Medicare directly are paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, which is updated on an annual basis. Under the Medicare statutory formula, payments under the Physician Fee Schedule for 2006 were to be reduced by approximately 4.4% on average. The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, or DRA, which was signed into law by President George W. Bush on February 8, 2006, eliminated this reduction for 2006 by setting the annual payment rate update at zero percent. In addition, on December 20, 2006, President Bush signed into law the Tax Relief and Health Care Improvement Act of 2006, which, among other provisions, eliminated a 5.1% overall cut in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule scheduled to go into effect in 2007.

The DRA also imposes caps on Medicare payment rates for certain imaging services, including MRI and PET, furnished in physician’s offices and all other non-hospital based settings. Under the cap, payments for specified imaging services cannot exceed the hospital outpatient payment rates for those services. This change applies to services furnished on or after January 1, 2007. The limitation is applicable to the technical component of the services only (which is the payment we receive for the services for which we bill directly under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule). If the technical component of the service established under the Physician Fee Schedule (without including geographic adjustments) exceeds the hospital outpatient payment amount for the service (also without including geographic adjustments), then the payment is to be reduced. In other words, in those instances where the technical component for the particular service is greater, the DRA directs that the hospital outpatient payment rate be substituted for the otherwise applicable Physician Fee Schedule payment rates.

For full year 2006, we estimate that approximately 5.6% of our revenue was billed directly to the Medicare program, which has increased from approximately 4.3% of our revenue billed directly to the Medicare program in 2005. If the DRA cap had been in effect for full year 2006, we estimate the reduction in Medicare revenue due to the DRA reimbursement rate decrease would have been approximately $9.7 million. Additionally, the PET and PET/CT Medicare HOPPS reduction would have reduced revenue by approximately $2.8 million. Combined, the DRA and PET and PET/CT Medicare HOPPS rate reductions would have negatively impacted Alliance’s 2006 revenue and will negatively impact our 2007 revenue by a total of $12.5 million and $14.0 million, respectively. We expect that the entire revenue decrease would have directly affected earnings.

As a result of the 2007 reductions in Medicare reimbursement rates resulting from the implementation of the DRA and revised PET and PET/CT reimbursements under HOPPS the Company’s

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wholesale clients may request reductions in billing rates under their respective agreements with the Company. The Company intends to review each request based on the specific client and relevant circumstances.

In addition, the DRA also codified a reduction in reimbursement for multiple images on contiguous body parts which was previously announced by CMS. The DRA mandates payment at 100% of the technical component of the higher priced imaging procedure and 50% for the technical component of each additional imaging procedure for multiple images of contiguous body parts within a family of codes performed in the same session. Initially, CMS announced that it would phase in this reimbursement reduction over a two-year period, resulting in a 25% reduction for each additional imaging procedure on contiguous body parts in 2006 and an additional 25% reduction in 2007. On November 1, 2006, however, CMS announced that it would not implement the additional 25% reduction in 2007. The implementation of this reimbursement reduction did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations for the year ended December 31 2006. We continue to believe that the implementation of this reimbursement reduction will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations in the future.

On July 18, 2006, the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health conducted a hearing regarding quality and utilization of imaging services and the provisions of the DRA that directly affect Medicare payment for imaging services. Many members of Congress have expressed concern about the impact of the DRA, and both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate introduced bills that would have delayed the effective date of the DRA for two years. The bills were not passed and therefore, did not become law. As a result, the DRA provisions as currently structured became effective January 1, 2007.

In addition, on November 1, 2006, CMS issued a final rule that describes 14 new supplier standards applicable to independent diagnostic testing facilities, or IDTFs, which includes some of our facilities. CMS has designed these standards to ensure that minimum quality standards are met to protect beneficiaries. If an IDTF fails to meet one or more of the proposed standards at the time of enrollment or re-enrollment, then its application will be denied or the agency will revoke an IDTF’s billing privileges. These new standards went into effect on January 1, 2007, and IDTFs must meet these standards to obtain or retain enrollment in the Medicare program. CMS has indicated that it intends to publish interpretations of these standards. To the extent such interpretations are more restrictive than the standards described in the agency’s published rule, our business could be adversely impacted. At this time, however, we cannot predict the full impact that these new standards will have on our business.

Payments to us by third-party payors depend substantially upon each payor’s coverage and reimbursement policies. Third-party payors may impose limits on coverage or reimbursement for diagnostic imaging services, including denying reimbursement for tests that do not follow recommended diagnostic procedures. Coverage policies also may be expanded to reflect emerging technologies. Because unfavorable coverage and reimbursement policies have and may continue to constrict the profit margins of the hospitals and clinics we bill directly, however, we have and may continue to need to lower our fees to retain existing clients and attract new ones. If coverage is limited or reimbursement rates are inadequate, a healthcare provider might find it financially unattractive to own an MRI or other diagnostic imaging system, yet beneficial to purchase our services. It is possible that third-party coverage and reimbursement policies will affect the need or price for our services in the future, which could significantly affect our financial performance and our ability to conduct our business.

Environmental, Health and Safety Laws

We are subject to federal, state and local regulations governing the storage, use, transport and disposal of materials and waste products, including biohazardous and radioactive wastes. Our PET service and some of our other imaging services require the use of radioactive materials. While this material has a

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short half-life, meaning it quickly breaks down into inert, or non-radioactive substances, using such materials presents the risk of accidental environmental contamination and physical injury. Although we believe that our safety procedures for storing, handling, transporting and disposing of these hazardous materials comply with the standards prescribed by law and regulation, we cannot completely eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury from those hazardous materials. We maintain professional liability insurance that covers such matters with coverage that we believe is consistent with industry practice and appropriate in light of the risks attendant to our business. However, in the event of an accident, we could be held liable for any damages that result, and any liability could exceed the limits or fall outside the coverage of our insurance. We may not be able to maintain insurance on acceptable terms, or at all. We could incur significant costs and the diversion of our management’s attention in order to comply with current or future environmental laws and regulations. We have not had material expenses related to environmental, health and safety laws or regulations to date.

How to Obtain Our SEC Filings

All reports we file with the SEC are available free of charge via EDGAR through the SEC website at www.sec.gov. In addition, the public may read and copy materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room located at 450 Fifth St., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20549. We also provide copies of our Forms 8-K, 10-K, 10-Q, Proxy and Annual Report, and any amendments thereto at no charge to investors upon request and make electronic copies of such reports available through our website at www.allianceimaging.com as soon as reasonably practicable after filing such material with the SEC.

Our Investor Relations Department can be contacted at Alliance Imaging, Inc., 1900 S. State College Blvd., Suite 600, Anaheim, California 92806, Attn: Investor Relations, tel: (714) 688-7100.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

Set forth below is information regarding our executive officers, including their principal occupations for the past five years and their ages as of March 9, 2007. There are no family relationships between any of our executive officers and any other executive officer or board member. Our executive officers are elected annually by our board of directors and serve at the discretion of our board of directors.

Name

 

 

 

 

Age

 

 

Present Position

 

 

 

Paul S. Viviano

 

53

 

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

 

Michael F. Frisch

 

49

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

 

Howard K. Aihara

 

43

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Eli H. Glovinsky

 

46

 

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

Nicholas A. Poan

 

29

 

Senior Vice President, Corporate Finance, and
Chief Accounting Officer

 

 

Paul S. Viviano has been a director since 2003 and the chairman of the Board since November 2003. He served as our president and chief operating officer from January 2, 2003 through April 7, 2003 at which time he became our president and chief executive officer. Effective October 1, 2004, Mr. Viviano became our chairman and chief executive officer. Prior to joining us, Mr. Viviano was chief executive officer of USC University Hospital and USC Norris Cancer Hospital from 2000 to 2002. He was employed by the St. Joseph Health System from 1987 to 2000 and served as its executive vice president and chief operating officer from 1995 to 2000. Mr. Viviano currently serves as the Chairman of the Executive Committee.

Michael F. Frisch has served as our senior vice president, southeast region, since September 2004, and as regional vice president, mid-atlantic region from November 2002 to August 2004. Mr. Frisch was promoted to the position of executive vice president and chief operating officer effective January 5, 2007. From January 1999 through October 2002, Mr. Frisch served as senior vice president-regional operations of American Dental Partners, a dental practice management company.

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Howard K. Aihara has served as our executive vice president and chief financial officer since December 2005. Mr. Aihara joined us in September 2000 as our vice president and corporate controller. From 1997 until September 2000, he was vice president, finance, for UniMed Management Company, a physician practice management company in Burbank, California. From 1995 through 1997, he was executive director and corporate controller for AHI Healthcare Systems, Inc., in Downey, California. AHI was a publicly traded physician practice management company. Mr. Aihara began his career at Ernst & Young, LLP and is a certified public accountant.

Eli H. Glovinsky joined Alliance in February 2007 and serves as our executive vice president, secretary and general counsel. Prior to joining Alliance, Mr. Glovinsky served as corporate vice president and chief legal counsel at Premier Inc., a voluntary alliance of hospitals and health systems that operates one of the nation’s largest group purchasing organizations, representing approximately 1,500 hospitals and 20,000 other health care providers. From 1997 to 2003 Mr. Glovinsky served as Premier’s vice president and associate general counsel. Mr. Glovinsky began his career as an associate at the law firm of Konowieki & Rank.

Nicholas A. Poan has served as our senior vice president, corporate finance since October 2006, and our corporate controller and chief accounting officer since December 2005. Previous to these roles, Mr. Poan served as our director of accounting, assistant controller and as part of our accounting management team since May 2003. Prior to joining us, Mr. Poan worked at Deloitte & Touche LLP from September 2000 through May 2003. He served as an accountant from September 2000 through September 2001 and as a senior accountant from September 2001 through May 2003, and is a certified public accountant.

Item 1A.                Risk Factors.

You should carefully consider the risks described below before investing in our publicly-traded securities. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition or results of operations will likely suffer. In that event, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Business and Our Common Stock

Changes in the rates or methods of third-party reimbursements for diagnostic imaging services could result in reduced demand for our services or create downward pricing pressure, which would result in a decline in our revenues and harm to our financial position.

We derive approximately 13% of our revenues from direct billings to patients and third-party payors such as Medicare, Medicaid or private health insurance companies, and changes in the rates or methods of reimbursement for the services we provide could have a significant negative impact on those revenues. Moreover, our healthcare provider clients on whom we depend for the majority of our revenues generally rely on reimbursement from third-party payors. If our clients receive decreased reimbursement, this could result in a reduced demand for our services or downward pricing pressures, which could have a material impact on our financial position.

From time to time, changes designed to contain healthcare costs have been proposed, some of which have resulted in decreased reimbursement rates for diagnostic imaging services. For example, on February 8, 2006, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, or DRA, was signed into law by President George W. Bush. The DRA imposes caps on Medicare payment rates for certain imaging services, including MRI, PET and CT, furnished in physician’s offices and other non-hospital based settings. Under the caps, payments for specified imaging services cannot exceed the hospital outpatient payment rates for those services. This change applies to services furnished on or after January 1, 2007. The caps are applicable to the technical component of the services only (which is the payment we receive for the services for which we bill directly under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule). If the technical component of the service

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established under the Physician Fee Schedule (without including geographic adjustments) exceeds the hospital outpatient payment amount for the service (also without including geographic adjustments), then the payment is to be reduced. In other words, in those instances where the technical component for the particular service is greater for the non-hospital site, the DRA directs that the hospital outpatient payment rate be substituted for the otherwise applicable Physician Fee Schedule payment rates. We expect that the implementation of this reimbursement reduction contained in the DRA will have a significant effect on our financial condition and results of operations in 2007.

In addition, on November 1, 2006, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued a final rule for the Medicare Part B hospital outpatient prospective payment system, or HOPPS reimbursement rates for PET and PET/CT imaging procedures. The national payment rate for nonmyocardial PET scans was reduced from the rate of $1,150 per scan for 2006 to $855 per scan for 2007. The national payment rate for PET/CT scans was reduced from the 2006 rate of $1,250 per scan to $950 per scan, also effective January 1, 2007.

For full year 2006, we estimate that approximately 5.6% of our revenue was billed directly to the Medicare program, which increased from approximately 4.3% of our revenue billed directly to the Medicare program in 2005. If the DRA had been in effect for full year 2006, we estimate the reduction in Medicare revenue due to the DRA reimbursement rate decrease would have been approximately $9.7 million. Additionally, the PET and PET/CT Medicare HOPPS reductions described above would have reduced revenue by approximately $2.8 million. Combined, the DRA and PET and PET/CT Medicare HOPPS rate reductions would have negatively impacted our 2006 revenue and will negatively impact our 2007 revenue by a total of $12.5 million and $14.0 million, respectively. Since this revenue reduction is based entirely on reductions in procedural reimbursements, we expect earnings would have been reduced by an equal amount.

As a result of the 2007 reductions in Medicare reimbursement rates resulting from the implementation of the DRA and revised PET and PET/CT reimbursements under HOPPS the Company’s wholesale clients may request reductions in billing rates under their respective agreements with the Company. The Company intends to review each request based on the specific client and relevant circumstances.

The DRA also codifies the reduction in reimbursement for multiple images on contiguous body parts, which was previously announced by CMS. The DRA mandates payment at 100% of the technical component of the higher priced imaging procedure and 50% for the technical component of each additional imaging procedure for multiple images of contiguous body parts within a family of codes performed in the same session. Initially, CMS announced that it would phase in this reimbursement reduction over a two-year period, resulting in a 25% reduction for each additional imaging procedure on contiguous body parts in 2006 and an additional 25% reduction in 2007. On November 1, 2006, however, CMS announced that it would not implement the additional 25% reduction in 2007. We believe that the implementation of this reimbursement reduction will not have a significant impact on our financial condition and results of operation in the future.

Our revenues may fluctuate or be unpredictable and this may impact our financial results.

The amount and timing of revenues that we may derive from our business will fluctuate based on:

·       variations in the rate at which clients renew their contracts;

·       the extent to which our mobile shared-service clients become full-time clients;

·       changes in the number of days of service we can offer with respect to a given diagnostic imaging system due to equipment malfunctions or the seasonal factors discussed below; and

·       the mix of wholesale and retail billing for our services.

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In addition, we experience seasonality in the sale of our services. For example, our revenues typically decline from our third fiscal quarter to our fourth fiscal quarter. First and fourth quarter revenues are typically lower than those from the second and third quarters. First quarter revenue can be affected primarily by inclement weather, the results of which are fewer patient scans during the period. Fourth quarter revenue is affected primarily by holiday and client and patient vacation schedules and inclement weather, the results of which are fewer patient scans during the period. As a result, our revenues may significantly vary from quarter to quarter, and our quarterly results may be below market expectations. We may not be able to reduce our expenses, including our debt service obligations, quickly enough to respond to these declines in revenue, which would make our business difficult to operate and would harm our financial results. If this happens, the price of our common stock may decline.

We may experience competition from other medical diagnostic companies and equipment manufacturers and this competition could adversely affect our revenues and our business.

The market for diagnostic imaging services and systems is competitive. Our major competitors include InSight Health Services Corp., RadNet, Inc., Medquest, Inc., Medical Resources, Inc., Shared Medical Services, Kings Medical Company Inc. and DMS Health Group. In addition to direct competition from other mobile providers, we compete with independent imaging centers and referring physicians with diagnostic imaging systems in their own offices, as well as with original equipment manufacturers, or OEM’s, that aggressively sell or lease imaging systems to healthcare providers for full-time installation. In recent years we have seen an increase in activity by OEM’s sale of systems directly to a certain number of our clients. Typically, OEM’s target our higher scan volume clients. This increase in activity by OEM’s has resulted in overcapacity of systems in the marketplace, especially related to medical groups adding imaging capacity within their practice setting. This has caused an increase in the number of our higher scan volume clients deciding not to renew their contracts. We replace these higher volume scan clients typically with lower volume clients. During 2006, our shared-services MRI revenues modestly declined compared to 2005 levels and we believe that our shared-services MRI revenues will continue to modestly decline in future years.

There are many competitors in the imaging sector with whom we find ourselves competing with to gain business. We have been successful in many of these competitive circumstances. However, if we are unable to successfully compete, our client base would decline and our business and financial condition would be harmed.

Managed care organizations may prevent healthcare providers from using our services which would cause us to lose current and prospective clients.

Healthcare providers participating as providers under managed care plans may be required to refer diagnostic imaging tests to specific imaging service providers depending on the plan in which each covered patient is enrolled. These requirements currently inhibit healthcare providers from using our diagnostic imaging services in some cases. The proliferation of managed care may prevent an increasing number of healthcare providers from using our services in the future which would cause our revenues to decline.

We may be unable to effectively maintain our imaging systems or generate revenue when our systems are not working.

Timely, effective service is essential to maintaining our reputation and high utilization rates on our imaging systems. Repairs to one of our systems can take up to two weeks and result in a loss of revenue. Our warranties and maintenance contracts do not fully compensate us for loss of revenue when our systems are not working. The principal components of our operating costs include depreciation, salaries paid to technologists and drivers, annual system maintenance costs, insurance and transportation costs. Because the majority of these expenses are fixed, a reduction in the number of scans performed due to out-of-service equipment will result in lower revenues and margins. Repairs of our equipment are

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performed for us by the equipment manufacturers. These manufacturers may not be able to perform repairs or supply needed parts in a timely manner. Thus, if we experience greater than anticipated system malfunctions or if we are unable to promptly obtain the service necessary to keep our systems functioning effectively, our revenues could decline and our ability to provide services would be harmed.

Our ability to maximize the utilization of our diagnostic imaging equipment may be adversely impacted by harsh weather conditions which may affect our ability to generate revenue.

Harsh weather conditions can adversely impact our operations and financial condition. To the extent severe weather patterns affect the regions in which we operate, potential patients may find it difficult to travel to our centers and we may have difficulty moving our mobile systems along their scheduled routes. As a result, we would experience a decrease in scan volume during that period. Our equipment utilization, scan volume or revenues could be adversely affected by similar conditions in the future.

Natural disasters could adversely affect our business and operations.

Our corporate headquarters is located in California and we currently operate in 43 states, located in various geographic regions across the country, subject to varying risks for natural disaster, including but not limited to, hurricanes, blizzards, floods, earthquakes and tornados. Depending upon their severity, these natural disasters could damage our facilities and imaging systems or prevent potential patients from traveling to our centers. Damage to our equipment or any interruption in our business would adversely affect our financial condition and could result in the loss of the capital invested in the damaged facilities or imaging systems or anticipated future cash flows from those facilities or imaging systems.

Technological change in our industry could reduce the demand for our services and require us to incur significant costs to upgrade our equipment.

We operate in a competitive, capital intensive, high fixed-cost industry. The development of new technologies or refinements of existing ones might make our existing systems technologically or economically obsolete, or reduce the need for our systems. MRI, PET and PET/CT, radiation therapy and other diagnostic imaging systems are currently manufactured by numerous companies. Competition among manufacturers for a greater share of the MRI, PET and PET/CT and other diagnostic imaging systems market has resulted in and likely will continue to result in technological advances in the speed and imaging capacity of these new systems. Consequently, the obsolescence of our systems may be accelerated. Should new technological advances occur, we may not be able to acquire the new or improved systems. In the future, to the extent we are unable to generate sufficient cash from our operations or obtain additional funds through bank financing or the issuance of equity or debt securities, we may be unable to maintain a competitive equipment base. In addition, advancing technology may enable hospitals, physicians or other diagnostic service providers to perform procedures without the assistance of diagnostic service providers such as ourselves. As a result, we may not be able to maintain our competitive position in our targeted regions or expand our business.

Continued high fuel costs would harm our operations.

Fuel costs constitute a significant portion of our operating expenses. Historically, fuel costs have been subject to wide price fluctuations based on geopolitical issues and supply and demand. Fuel availability is also affected by demand for home heating oil, diesel, gasoline and other petroleum products. Because of the effect of these events on the price and availability of fuel, the cost and future availability of fuel cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty. In the event of a fuel supply shortage or further increases in fuel prices, a curtailment of scheduled service could result. There have been significant increases in fuel costs and continued high fuel costs or further increases will harm our financial condition and profitability.

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We may be unable to renew or maintain our client contracts which would harm our business and financial results.

Upon expiration of our clients’ contracts, we are subject to the risk that clients will cease using our imaging services and purchase or lease their own imaging systems or use our competitors’ imaging systems. During the year ended December 31, 2006, we continued to experience a high rate of contract terminations primarily due to stepped up marketing, sales and attractive financing alternatives being offered by original equipment manufacturers to our clients. A portion of our clients can execute their early termination clause and discontinue service prior to maturity. As a result, our 2006 MRI revenues declined compared to 2005 levels and we believe that MRI revenues from our shared-service operations will continue to decline in future periods. If these contracts are not renewed, it could result in a significant negative impact on our business. It is not always possible to immediately obtain replacement clients, and historically many replacement clients have been smaller facilities which have a lower number of scans than lost clients.

Because a high percentage of our operating expenses are fixed, a relatively small decrease in revenues could have a significant negative impact on our financial results.

A high percentage of our expenses are fixed, meaning they do not vary significantly with the increase or decrease in revenues. Such expenses include, but are not limited to, debt service and capital lease payments, rent and operating lease payments, salaries, maintenance, insurance and vehicle operation costs. As a result, a relatively small reduction in the prices we charge for our services or procedure volume could have a disproportionate negative effect on our financial results.

We may be subject to professional liability risks which could be costly and negatively impact our business and financial results.

We may be subject to professional liability claims. Although there currently are no known hazards associated with MRI or our other scanning technologies when used properly, hazards may be discovered in the future. Furthermore, there is a risk of harm to a patient during an MRI if the patient has certain types of metal implants or cardiac pacemakers within his or her body. Patients are carefully screened to safeguard against this risk, but screening may nevertheless fail to identify the hazard. We maintain professional liability insurance with coverage that we believe is consistent with industry practice and appropriate in light of the risks attendant to our business. However, any claim made against us could be costly to defend against, result in a substantial damage award against us and divert the attention of our management from our operations, which could have an adverse effect on our financial performance.

Loss of key executives and failure to attract qualified managers and sales persons could limit our growth and negatively impact our operations.

We depend upon our management team to a substantial extent. In particular, we depend upon Mr. Viviano, our Chief Executive Officer and the Chairman of our Board of Directors for his skills, experience and knowledge of our company and industry contacts. Effective May 9, 2005, Mr. Viviano entered into an employment agreement which ends on the second anniversary of the effective date. The term of this agreement is subject to automatic extensions on a quarterly basis after the initial term has been completed. Mr. Viviano can prevent a quarterly extension by giving notice of a desire to modify or terminate the agreement at least thirty days prior to the quarterly extension date. In addition, we do not have key employee insurance policies covering any of our management team. The loss of Mr. Viviano or other members of our management team could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

As we grow, we will increasingly require field managers and sales persons with experience in our industry to operate our diagnostic equipment. It is impossible to predict the availability of qualified field managers and sales persons or the compensation levels that will be required to hire them. The loss of the

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services of any member of our senior management or our inability to hire qualified field managers and sales persons at economically reasonable compensation levels could adversely affect our ability to operate and grow our business.

Loss of, and failure to attract, qualified employees and technologists could limit our growth and negatively impact our operations.

Our future success depends on our continuing ability to identify, hire, develop, motivate and retain highly skilled personnel for all areas of our organization. Competition in our industry for qualified employees is intense. In particular, there is a very high demand for qualified technologists who are necessary to operate our systems, particularly PET and PET/CT technologists. We may not be able to hire and retain a sufficient number of technologists, and we expect that our costs for the salaries and benefits of technologists will continue to increase for the foreseeable future because of the industry’s competitive demand for their services. Our continued ability to compete effectively depends on our ability to attract new employees and to retain and motivate our existing employees.

Our positron emission tomography and positron emission tomography/computed tomography, or PET and PET/CT services, and some of our other imaging services require the use of radioactive materials, which could subject us to regulation related costs and delays and potential liabilities for injuries or violations of environmental, health and safety laws.

Our PET and PET/CT service and some of our other imaging services require radioactive materials. While this radioactive material has a short half-life, meaning it quickly breaks down into inert, or non-radioactive substances, storage, use and disposal of these materials presents the risk of accidental environmental contamination and physical injury. We are subject to federal, state and local regulations governing storage, handling and disposal of these materials and waste products. Although we believe that our safety procedures for storing, handling and disposing of these hazardous materials comply with the standards prescribed by law and regulation, we cannot completely eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury from those hazardous materials. We maintain professional liability insurance with coverage that we believe is consistent with industry practice and appropriate in light of the risks attendant to our business. However, in the event of an accident, we could be held liable for any damages that result, and any liability could exceed the limits or fall outside the coverage of our insurance. We may not be able to maintain insurance on acceptable terms, or at all. We could incur significant costs and the diversion of our management’s attention in order to comply with current or future environmental, health and safety laws and regulations.

We may not be able to achieve the expected benefits from future acquisitions which would adversely affect our financial condition and results.

We have historically relied on acquisitions as a method of expanding our business. In addition, we will consider future acquisitions as opportunities arise. If we do not successfully integrate acquisitions, we may not realize anticipated operating advantages and cost savings. The integration of companies that have previously operated separately involves a number of risks, including:

·       demands on management related to the increase in our size after an acquisition;

·       the diversion of our management’s attention from the management of daily operations to the integration of operations;

·       difficulties in the assimilation and retention of employees;

·       potential adverse effects on operating results; and

·       challenges in retaining clients.

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We may not be able to maintain the levels of operating efficiency acquired companies have achieved or might achieve separately. Successful integration of each of their operations will depend upon our ability to manage those operations and to eliminate redundant and excess costs. Because of difficulties in combining operations, we may not be able to achieve the cost savings and other size related benefits that we hoped to achieve after these acquisitions which would harm our financial condition and operating results.

We are controlled by a single stockholder who will be able to exert significant influence over matters requiring stockholder approval, including change of control transactions.

Viewer Holdings L.L.C., an affiliate of KKR, owns approximately 52% of our common equity without giving effect to phantom shares held by three members of KKR’s management who are on our board of directors. As of December 31, 2006, these directors in the aggregate held 52,051 phantom shares, which gives them the right to receive an equivalent number of shares of our common stock, or cash, upon their retirement or separation from the board of directors or upon the occurrence of a change of control. KKR 1996 GP L.L.C. is the sole general partner of KKR Associates 1996 L.P., which is the sole general partner of KKR 1996 Fund L.P. As of the date hereof, KKR 1996 Fund L.P. is the senior member of Viewer Holdings L.L.C. Michael W. Michelson, a member of our board of directors, is a member of KKR 1996 GP L.L.C. Mr. Michelson is also the Chairperson of our Compensation Committee and a member of our Executive Committee. James C. Momtazee and Kenneth W. Freeman, who are also executives of KKR and limited partners of KKR Associates 1996 L.P., are also members of our board of directors. Mr. Momtazee is also a member of our Compensation Committee and our Executive Committee. We sometimes refer to KKR 1996 GP L.L.C., KKR Associates 1996 L.P., KKR 1996 Fund L.P. and various affiliated entities as KKR. KKR provides management and consulting services to us and we pay KKR an annual fee of $650,000 in quarterly installments in arrears at the end of each calendar quarter for those services.

As a result of the arrangements described above, KKR controls us and has the power to elect all of our directors, appoint new management and approve any action requiring the approval of the holders of shares of our common stock, including adopting amendments to our certificate of incorporation and approving mergers, consolidations or sales of all or substantially all of our assets. This concentration of ownership may also delay or prevent a change of control of our company or reduce the price investors might be willing to pay for our common stock. The interests of KKR may conflict with the interests of other holders of our common stock.

Possible volatility in our stock price could negatively affect us and our stockholders.

The trading price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange has fluctuated significantly in the past. During the period from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2006, the trading price of our common stock fluctuated from a high of $14.15 per share to a low of $3.38 per share. In the past, we have experienced a drop in stock price following an announcement of disappointing earnings or earnings guidance. Any such announcement in the future could lead to a similar drop in stock price. The price of our common stock could also be subject to wide fluctuations in the future as a result of a number of other factors, including the following:

·       changes in expectations as to future financial performance or buy/sell recommendations of securities analysts;

·       our, or a competitor’s, announcement of new products or services, or significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments; and

·       the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies.

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In addition, the U.S. securities markets have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. These fluctuations often have been unrelated to the operating performance of companies in these markets. Broad market and industry factors may lead to volatility in the price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance. Moreover, our stock has limited trading volume, and this illiquidity may increase the volatility of our stock price.

In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of an individual company’s securities, securities class action litigation often has been instituted against that company. The institution of similar litigation against us could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources, which could negatively affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

Recently enacted and proposed changes in securities laws and regulations are likely to increase our costs and may affect our ability to be in compliance with such new corporate governance provisions in the future.

The existing federal securities laws and regulations impose complex and continually changing regulatory requirements on our operations and reporting. With the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 in July 2002, a significant number of new corporate governance requirements have been adopted. These new requirements impose comprehensive reporting and disclosure requirements, set stricter independence and financial expertise standards for audit committee members, and impose increased civil and criminal penalties for companies, their chief executive officers, chief financial officers and directors for securities law violations. We expect these developments to increase our legal compliance costs, increase the difficulty and expense in obtaining director and officer liability insurance, and make it harder for us to attract and retain qualified members of our board of directors and/or qualified executive officers. Such developments could harm our results of operations and divert management’s attention from business operations.

Provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law and our organizational documents may discourage an acquisition of us.

Our organizational documents and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware both contain provisions that will impede the removal of directors and may discourage a third-party from making a proposal to acquire us. For example, the provisions:

·       permit the board of directors to increase its own size and fill the resulting vacancies;

·       provide for a board composed of three classes of directors with each class serving a staggered three-year term;

·       authorize the issuance of additional shares of preferred stock in one or more series without a stockholder vote; and

·       establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting of our stockholders, including proposed nominations of persons for election to the board of directors.

Moreover, these provisions can only be amended by the vote of 662¤3% or more of our outstanding shares entitled to vote. The existence of these provisions may also have a negative impact on the price of our common stock. Furthermore, we are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control.

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Risks Related to Government Regulation of Our Business

Complying with federal and state regulations is an expensive and time-consuming process, and any failure to comply could result in substantial penalties.

We are directly or indirectly through our clients subject to extensive regulation by both the federal government and the states in which we conduct our business, including the federal Anti-Kickback Law and similar state anti-kickback laws, the Stark Law and similar state laws affecting physician referrals, the federal False Claims Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and similar state laws addressing privacy and security, state unlawful practice of medicine and fee splitting laws, state certificate of need laws, the Medicare and Medicaid statutes and regulations, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, and requirements for handling biohazardous and radioactive materials and wastes.

If our operations are found to be in violation of any of the laws and regulations to which we or our clients are subject, we may be subject to the applicable penalty associated with the violation, including civil and criminal penalties, damages, fines and the curtailment of our operations. Any penalties, damages, fines or curtailment of our operations, individually or in the aggregate, could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our financial results. The risk of our being found in violation of these laws and regulations is increased by the fact that many of them have not been fully interpreted by the regulatory authorities or the courts, and their provisions are open to a variety of interpretations. Any action against us for violation of these laws or regulations, even if we successfully defend against it, could cause us to incur significant legal expenses and divert our management’s attention from the operation of our business. For a more detailed discussion of the various state and federal regulations to which we are subject see “Business—Regulation,” “Business—Reimbursement” and “Business—Environmental, Health and Safety Laws.”

Federal and state anti-kickback and anti-self-referral laws may adversely affect our operations and income.

Various federal and state laws govern financial arrangements among health care providers. The federal Anti-Kickback Law prohibits the knowing and willful offer, payment, solicitation or receipt of any form of remuneration in return for, or to induce, the referral of Medicare, Medicaid or other federal healthcare program patients, or in return for, or to induce, the purchase, lease or order of items or services that are covered by Medicare, Medicaid or other federal healthcare programs. Many state laws also prohibit the solicitation, payment or receipt of remuneration in return for, or to induce the referral of patients in private as well as government programs. Violation of these laws may result in substantial civil or criminal penalties and/or exclusion from participation in federal or state healthcare programs. We believe that we are operating in compliance with applicable laws and believe that our arrangements with providers would not be found to violate the federal and state anti-kickback laws. However, these laws could be interpreted in a manner that could have an adverse effect on our operations.

The Stark Law prohibits a physician from referring Medicare or Medicaid patients to any entity for certain designated health services (including MRI and other diagnostic imaging services) if the physician has a prohibited financial relationship with that entity, unless an exception applies. Although we believe that our operations do not violate the Stark Law, our activities may be challenged. If a challenge to our activities is successful, it could have an adverse effect on our operations. In addition, legislation may be enacted in the future that further addresses Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse or that imposes additional requirements or burdens on us.

A number of states in which our diagnostic imaging centers are located have adopted a form of anti-kickback law and/or Stark Law. The scope of these laws and the interpretations of them vary from state to state and are enforced by state courts and regulatory authorities, each with broad discretion. A

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determination of liability under the laws described in this risk factor could result in fines and penalties and restrictions on our ability to operate in these jurisdictions.

In addition, under the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, or DRA, states are encouraged to adopt false claims acts similar to the federal False Claims Act, which establish liability for submission of fraudulent claims to the State Medicaid Program and contain qui tam or whistleblower provisions. States enacting such false claims statutes will receive an increased percentage of any recovery from a State Medicaid judgment or settlement. Adoption of new false claims statutes in states where we operate may impose additional requirements or burdens on us.

Healthcare reform legislation and regulations could impact our operations or limit the prices we can charge for our services, which would reduce our revenues and harm our operating results.

In addition to extensive existing government healthcare regulation, there have been and continue to be numerous initiatives at the federal and state levels for reforms affecting the payment for and availability of healthcare services, including proposals that would significantly limit reimbursement under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Limitations on reimbursement amounts and other cost containment pressures have in the past resulted in a decrease in the revenue we receive for each scan we perform. For example, the DRA, which was signed into law on February 8, 2006, contains provisions affecting Medicare payment for imaging services furnished in a number of settings.

New regulations, published on November 1, 2006 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, identify 14 new supplier standards applicable to independent diagnostic testing facilities, or IDTFs, which includes some of the Company’s facilities. CMS has designed these standards to ensure that minimum quality standards are met to protect Medicare beneficiaries. If an IDTF fails to meet one or more of the proposed standards at the time of enrollment or re-enrollment, then its application will be denied or the agency will revoke an IDTF’s billing privileges. These new standards went into effect on January 1, 2007, and IDTFs must meet these standards to obtain or retain enrollment in the Medicare program. We believe we already meet the requirements in all material respects. CMS has indicated that it intends to publish interpretations of these standards. To the extent such interpretations are more restrictive than the standards described in the agency’s published rule, our business could be adversely impacted. At this time, however, we cannot predict the impact that these new standards will have on our business.

It is not clear at this time what existing or future proposals, if any, will be made or adopted and, if adopted, what effect these proposals would have on our business. Aspects of certain of these healthcare proposals, such as payment reductions in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, containment of healthcare costs on an interim basis by means that could include a short-term freeze on prices charged by healthcare providers, and permitting greater state flexibility in the administration of Medicaid, could limit the demand for our services or affect the revenue per procedure that we can collect which would harm our business and results of operations.

The application or repeal of state certificate of need regulations could harm our business and financial results.

Some states require a certificate of need or similar regulatory approval prior to the acquisition of high-cost capital items including diagnostic imaging systems or provision of diagnostic imaging services by us or our clients. Seventeen of the 43 states in which we operate require a certificate of need and more states may adopt similar licensure frameworks in the future. In many cases, a limited number of these certificates are available in a given state. If we are unable to obtain the applicable certificate or approval or additional certificates or approvals necessary to expand our operations, these regulations may limit or preclude our operations in the relevant jurisdictions.

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Conversely, states in which we have obtained a certificate of need may repeal existing certificate of need regulations or liberalize exemptions from the regulations. For example, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, New York, Ohio and Tennessee have liberalized exemptions from certificate of need programs. The repeal of certificate of need regulations in states in which we have obtained a certificate of need or a certificate of need exemption would lower barriers to entry for competition in those states and could adversely affect our business.

If we fail to comply with various licensure, certification and accreditation standards we may be subject to loss of licensure, certification or accreditation which would adversely affect our operations.

All of the states in which we operate require that the imaging technologists that operate our computed tomography, single photon emission computed tomography, and positron emission tomography systems be licensed or certified. Also, each of our retail sites must continue to meet various requirements in order to receive payments from the Medicare program. In addition, we are currently accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, an independent, non-profit organization that accredits various types of healthcare providers such as hospitals, nursing homes and providers of diagnostic imaging services. In the healthcare industry, various types of organizations are accredited to meet certain Medicare certification requirements, expedite third-party payment, and fulfill state licensure requirements. Some managed care providers prefer to contract with accredited organizations. Any lapse in our licenses, certifications or accreditations, or those of our technologists, or the failure of any of our retail sites to satisfy the necessary requirements under Medicare could adversely affect our operations and financial results.

Risks Related to Our Indebtedness

We are highly leveraged and our liabilities exceed our assets by a substantial amount. As of December 31, 2006, we had $529.4 million of outstanding debt, excluding letters of credit and guarantees.

Our substantial indebtedness could restrict our operations and make us more vulnerable to adverse economic conditions.

Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences for our stockholders. For example, it could:

·       require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures and acquisitions and for other general corporate purposes;

·       increase our vulnerability to economic downturns and competitive pressures in our industry;

·       place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt in relation to cash flow; and

·       limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and our industry.

If there is a default under the agreements governing our material indebtedness, the value of our assets may not be sufficient to repay our creditors.

Our property and equipment, which make up a significant portion of our tangible assets, had a net book value as of December 31, 2005 of $358.9 million and $344.2 million as of December 31, 2006. The book value of these assets should not be relied on as a measure of realizable value for such assets. The realizable value may be greater or lower than such net book value. The value of our assets in the event of liquidation will depend upon market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and similar factors. A sale of these assets in a bankruptcy or similar proceeding would likely be made under duress,

30




which would reduce the amounts that could be recovered. Furthermore, such a sale could occur when other companies in our industry also are distressed, which might increase the supply of similar assets and therefore reduce the amounts that could be recovered. Our goodwill and other intangible assets had a net book value as of December 31, 2005 of $193.7 million and $185.9 million as of December 31, 2006. These assets primarily consist of the excess of the acquisition cost over the fair market value of the net assets acquired in purchase transactions, customer contracts and costs to obtain certificates of need. The value of goodwill and other intangible assets will continue to depend significantly upon the success of our business as a going concern and the growth in future cash flows. As a result, in the event of a default under the agreements governing our material indebtedness or any bankruptcy or dissolution of our company, the realizable value of these assets will likely be substantially lower and may be insufficient to satisfy the claims of our creditors.

The financial condition of our assets will likely deteriorate during any period of financial distress preceding a sale of our assets. In addition, much of our assets consist of illiquid assets that may have to be sold at a substantial discount in an insolvency situation. Accordingly, the proceeds of any such sale of our assets may not be sufficient to satisfy, and may be substantially less than, amounts due to our creditors.

Despite current indebtedness levels, we and our subsidiaries may still be able to incur substantially more indebtedness which could increase the risks described above.

We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. The terms of the indentures that govern our 103¤8% senior subordinated notes due 2011 and 71¤4% senior subordinated notes due 2012 permit us or our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, subject to certain restrictions. Further, the indentures allow for the incurrence of indebtedness by our subsidiaries, all of which would be structurally senior to the notes. In addition, as of December 31, 2006, our revolving credit facility permitted additional borrowings of up to approximately $64.1 million subject to the covenants contained in the credit facility, and all of those borrowings would be senior to the notes. If new debt is added to our and our subsidiaries’ current debt levels, the risks discussed above could intensify.

If we are unable to generate or borrow sufficient cash to make payments on our indebtedness or to refinance our indebtedness on acceptable terms, our financial condition would be materially harmed, our business may fail and you may lose all of your investment.

Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our obligations with respect to our debt will depend on our financial and operating performance, which will be affected by general economic, financial, competitive, business and other factors beyond our control. We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to service our debt or to fund our other liquidity needs. If we are unable to meet our debt obligations or fund our other liquidity needs, we may need to restructure or refinance all or a portion of our debt on or before maturity or sell certain of our assets. We cannot assure you that we will be able to restructure or refinance any of our debt on commercially reasonable terms, if at all, which could cause us to default on our debt obligations and impair our liquidity. Any refinancing of our debt could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations.

31




We may not be able to finance future needs or adapt our business plan to changes because of restrictions placed on us by our credit facility, the indentures governing our notes and instruments governing our other indebtedness.

The indentures for our notes and our credit facility contain affirmative and negative covenants which restrict, among other things, our ability to:

·       incur additional debt;

·       sell assets;

·       create liens or other encumbrances;

·       make certain payments and dividends; or

·       merge or consolidate.

All of these restrictions could affect our ability to operate our business and may limit our ability to take advantage of potential business opportunities as they arise. A failure to comply with these covenants and restrictions would permit the relevant creditors to declare all amounts borrowed under the relevant facility, together with accrued interest and fees, to be immediately due and payable. If the indebtedness under the credit facility or our notes is accelerated, we may not have sufficient assets to repay amounts due under the credit facility, the notes or on other indebtedness then outstanding. If we are not able to refinance our debt, we could become subject to bankruptcy proceedings, and you may lose all or a portion of your investment because the claims of our creditors on our assets are prior to the claims of our stockholders.

Rises in interest rates could adversely affect our financial condition.

An increase in prevailing interest rates would have an immediate effect on the interest rates charged on our variable rate debt, which rise and fall upon changes in interest rates. At December 31, 2006, $377.4 million of our debt was at variable interest rates. However, during 2005, we entered into multiple interest rate collar agreements which have a total notional amount of $178.0 million, which reduces our exposure on our total variable rate to the terms of these agreements. Under the terms of these agreements, we have purchased a cap on the interest rate of 4.00% and have sold a floor of 2.25%. The collar agreements mature at various dates between January 2007 and January 2008. Increases in interest rates would also impact the refinancing of our fixed rate debt. If interest rates are higher when our fixed debt becomes due, we may be forced to borrow at the higher rates. If prevailing interest rates or other factors result in higher interest rates, the increased interest expense would adversely affect our cash flow and our ability to service our debt. As a protection against rising interest rates, we may enter into agreements such as interest rate swaps, caps, floors and other interest rate exchange contracts. These agreements, however, increase our risks as to the other parties to the agreements not performing or that the agreements could be unenforceable.

Item 1B.               Unresolved Staff Comments.

Not applicable.

32




Item 2.                        Properties.

We lease approximately 47,000 square feet of space in Anaheim, California for our executive and principal administrative offices. Of this space, we sublease approximately 20,000 square feet to a sublessee. We also lease 20,000 square feet of space in Canton, Ohio for our retail billing operations. We have 15,900 square feet of space for a large regional office in Andover, Massachusetts, in addition to other small regional offices throughout the country. We also lease a 15,600 square foot operations warehouse in Orange, California and a 9,000 square foot operations warehouse in Childs, Pennsylvania.

Item 3.                        Legal Proceedings.

On May 5, 2005, Alliance Imaging, Inc. was served with a complaint filed in Alameda County Superior Court alleging wage and hour claims on behalf of a putative class of approximately 400 former and current California employees of our company. On August 19, 2005, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint, which we answered on September 23, 2005. In this suit, captioned Linda S. Jones, et al. v. Alliance Imaging, Inc., et al., the plaintiffs allege violations of California’s wage, meal period, and break time laws and regulations. Plaintiffs sought recovery of unspecified economic damages, statutory penalties, attorneys’ fees, and costs of suit. On or about March 10, 2006, plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint (later further amended by a third amended complaint) adding a cause of action for conversion and a plea for punitive damages. We filed a demurrer and motion to strike seeking to dismiss the new claim and plea. On July 19, 2006, we and the Plaintiffs entered into a tentative settlement of the class action complaint pursuant to which we agreed to pay $2.5 million in exchange for a dismissal with prejudice of all claims brought on behalf of the putative class under the class action complaint. On September 8, 2006, the settlement was preliminarily approved by the court and a conditional class was certified for purposes of seeking class approval of the settlement. On October 2, 2006, notice was mailed to the conditional class members outlining the terms of the settlement and providing all class members with an opportunity to opt out of the settlement prior to the final approval hearing scheduled for November 27, 2006. Two putative class members opted out of the class, and there were no objections submitted. The final approval hearing was held on November 27, 2006 as scheduled, and the Court granted final approval of the settlement. The settlement amount was distributed by the class settlement administrator on February 16, 2007. The case will be dismissed upon the parties’ compliance with the settlement agreement. The Court scheduled a hearing for a final accounting of the settlement distribution on June 25, 2007.

From time to time, we are involved in routine litigation incidental to the conduct of our business. We believe that none of this litigation pending against us will have a material adverse effect on our business.

Item 4.                        Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

No matters were submitted to a vote of our security holders during the fourth quarter of 2006.

33




PART II

Item 5.                        Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AIQ”. The high and low sales prices as reported on the NYSE are set forth below for the respective time periods. As of March 9, 2007, there were 16 stockholders of record of our common stock and approximately 4,035 beneficial holders of our common stock.

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

High

 

Low

 

High

 

Low

 

First Quarter

 

$

7.17

 

$

3.80

 

$

14.15

 

$

8.97

 

Second Quarter

 

$

6.99

 

$

4.90

 

$

11.09

 

$

9.25

 

Third Quarter

 

$

8.60

 

$

5.70

 

$

11.66

 

$

7.98

 

Fourth Quarter

 

$

8.49

 

$

5.75

 

$

8.65

 

$

4.72

 

 

We have never paid any cash dividends on our common stock and have no current plans to do so. We intend to retain available cash to provide for the operation of our business, including capital expenditures, fund future acquisitions, and to repay indebtedness. Our senior secured credit agreement and the indenture related to our 71¤4% notes restrict the payment of cash dividends on our common stock. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

All stock option plans under which our common stock is reserved for issuance have previously been approved by our shareholders. The following table provides summary information as of December 31, 2006 for all of our stock option plans:

 

 

Number of shares
of Common Stock to
be Issued upon Exercise
of Outstanding Options

 

Weighted Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options

 

Number of Shares of
Common Stock remaining
Available for Future Issuance
(excluding shares reflected
in column 1)

 

Stock option plans approved by shareholders

 

 

4,094,325

 

 

 

$

5.93

 

 

 

1,055,250

 

 

Stock option plans not approved by shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,094,325

 

 

 

$

5.93

 

 

 

1,055,250

 

 

 

34




Stock Performance Graph

The following graph sets forth the cumulative return on our common stock from December 31, 2001, through December 31, 2006, as compared to the cumulative return of the S&P 500 Index and the cumulative return of the S&P Healthcare Index. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2001 in each of the (1) our common stock, (2) the S&P 500 Index, and (3) the S&P Healthcare Index and that all dividends (if applicable) were reinvested.

COMPARISON OF THE CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG
ALLIANCE IMAGING, INC., THE S&P 500 INDEX, AND
THE S&P HEALTHCARE INDEX

GRAPHIC

 

 

Cumlative Total Return

 

 

 

 

12/31/2001

 

12/31/2002

 

12/31/2003

 

12/31/2004

 

12/31/2005

 

12/31/2006

 

 

Alliance Imaging, Inc.

 

 

100.00

 

 

 

43.44

 

 

 

30.33

 

 

 

92.21

 

 

 

48.77

 

 

 

54.51

 

 

S&P 500

 

 

100.00

 

 

 

46.63

 

 

 

96.85

 

 

 

105.56

 

 

 

108.73

 

 

 

123.54

 

 

S&P Healthcare Index

 

 

100.00

 

 

 

80.03

 

 

 

90.68

 

 

 

90.89

 

 

 

95.31

 

 

 

100.82

 

 

 

35




ITEM 6.                Selected Consolidated Financial Data.

See the “Explanatory Note” to this Amendment No. 1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A and Note 17 to our consolidated financial statements for more detailed information regarding the restatement of our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, and for each of the three years ended December 31, 2006, December 31, 2005, and December 31, 2004.

The selected consolidated financial data shown below has been taken or derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included herein (in thousands, except per share data).

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(As Restated)
(1)

 

(As Restated)
(1)

 

(As Restated)
(1)

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

408,530

 

$

413,553

 

 

$

432,080

 

 

 

$

430,788

 

 

 

$

455,775

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization

 

184,050

 

198,456

 

 

217,605

 

 

 

226,294

 

 

 

244,254

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

45,822

 

47,472

 

 

48,142

 

 

 

48,077

 

 

 

53,955

 

 

Employment agreement costs

 

 

2,446

 

 

2,064

 

 

 

366

 

 

 

 

 

Severances and related costs

 

 

2,246

 

 

1,223

 

 

 

826

 

 

 

745

 

 

Loss on early retirement of debt

 

 

 

 

44,393

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment charges

 

 

73,225

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation expense

 

69,384

 

77,675

 

 

80,488

 

 

 

82,505

 

 

 

83,397

 

 

Amortization expense

 

2,502

 

2,897

 

 

3,522

 

 

 

3,954

 

 

 

4,933

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

47,705

 

43,589

 

 

44,502

 

 

 

34,203

 

 

 

41,078

 

 

Other (income) and expense, net

 

(872

)

(200

)

 

(484

)

 

 

(399

)

 

 

45

 

 

Total costs and expenses

 

348,591

 

447,806

 

 

441,455

 

 

 

395,826

 

 

 

428,407

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes, minority interest expense and earnings from unconsolidated investees

 

59,939

 

(34,253

)

 

(9,375

)

 

 

34,962

 

 

 

27,368

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

25,495

 

(1,680

)

 

(6,955

)

 

 

14,758

 

 

 

12,032

 

 

Minority interest expense

 

2,008

 

1,686

 

 

2,373

 

 

 

1,718

 

 

 

2,075

 

 

Earnings from unconsolidated investees

 

(3,503

)

(2,649

)

 

(4,029

)

 

 

(3,343

)

 

 

(5,371

)

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

35,939

 

$

(31,610

)

 

$

(764

)

 

 

$

21,829

 

 

 

$

18,632

 

 

Earnings (loss) per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.76

 

$

(0.66

)

 

$

(0.02

)

 

 

$

0.44

 

 

 

$

0.37

 

 

Diluted

 

$

0.72

 

$

(0.66

)

 

$

(0.02

)

 

 

$

0.43

 

 

 

$

0.37

 

 

Weighted average number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

47,595

 

47,872

 

 

48,350

 

 

 

49,378

 

 

 

49,780

 

 

Diluted

 

49,793

 

47,872

 

 

48,350

 

 

 

50,262

 

 

 

50,335

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2002

 

2003

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data
(at end of period):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

31,413

 

$

20,931

 

$

20,721

 

$

13,421

 

$

16,440

 

Total assets

 

687,404

 

628,176

 

622,198

 

675,342

 

664,526

 

Long-term debt, including current maturities

 

608,862

 

581,247

 

575,664

 

579,582

 

529,425

 

Stockholders’ deficit

 

(42,309

)

(70,798

)

(67,528

)

(40,256

)

(16,974

)


(1)   See Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of the restatement.

36




Item 7.                        Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Overview

We are a leading national provider of shared-service and fixed-site diagnostic imaging services, based upon annual revenue and number of diagnostic imaging systems deployed. Our principal sources of revenue are derived from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography and positron emission tomography/computed tomography, or PET and PET/CT (PET and PET/CT). We provide imaging and therapeutic services primarily to hospitals and other healthcare providers on a shared and full-time service basis. We also provide services through a growing number of fixed sites primarily to hospitals or health systems. Our services normally include the use of our imaging systems, technologists to operate the systems, equipment maintenance and upgrades and management of day-to-day shared-service and fixed-site diagnostic imaging operations. We also provide non scan-based services, which includes only the use of our imaging systems under a short-term contract. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, MRI services and PET and PET/CT services generated 62% and 29% of our revenue, respectively. The remaining revenue was comprised of other modality diagnostic imaging services revenue, primarily computed tomography (CT), and management contract revenue. We had 489 diagnostic imaging systems, including 331 MRI systems, 73 PET or PET/CT systems, 40 CT systems and 45 other systems, and served over 1,000 clients in 43 states at December 31, 2006. Of these 489 diagnostic imaging systems, 68 were located in fixed sites, which constitutes systems installed in hospitals or other buildings on hospital campuses, including modular buildings, systems installed inside medical groups’ offices or medical buildings, and free-standing fixed sites, which includes systems installed in a medical office building, ambulatory surgical center, or other retail space. Of these 68 fixed sites, 57 were MRI fixed sites, four were PET or PET/CT fixed sites and seven were other modality fixed sites.

Approximately 87% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2006 were generated by providing services to hospitals and other healthcare providers, which we refer to as wholesale revenues. Our wholesale revenues are typically generated from contracts that require our clients to pay us based on the number of scans we perform on patients on our clients’ behalf, although some pay us a flat fee for a period of time regardless of the number of scans we perform. These payments are due to us independent of our clients’ receipt of reimbursement from third-party payors. We typically deliver our services for a set number of days per week through exclusive, long-term contracts with hospitals and other healthcare providers. The initial terms of these contracts average approximately three years in length for mobile services and approximately five to 10 years in length for fixed-site arrangements. These contracts often contain automatic renewal provisions and certain contracts have cancellation clauses if the hospital or other healthcare provider purchases their own system. We price our contracts based on the type of system used, the scan volume, and the number of ancillary services provided. Pricing is also affected by competitive pressures.

Approximately 13% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2006 were generated by providing services directly to patients from our sites located at or near hospitals or other healthcare provider facilities, which we refer to as retail revenue. Our revenue from these sites is generated from direct billings to patients or their third-party payors, including Medicare, which are recorded net of contractual discounts and other arrangements for providing services at discounted prices. We typically charge a higher price per scan under retail billing than we do under wholesale billing.

Fixed sites can be structured as either wholesale or retail arrangements. Revenues from these fixed-sites are included in both our wholesale or retail revenues, respectively.

On February 8, 2006, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, or DRA, was signed into law by President George W. Bush. The DRA imposes caps on Medicare payment rates for certain imaging services, including MRI, PET and PET/CT, furnished in physician’s offices and other non-hospital based settings. Under the cap, payments for specified imaging services cannot exceed the hospital outpatient payment rates for those services. This change applies to services furnished on or after January 1, 2007. The

37




limitation is applicable to the technical component of the services only, which is the payment the Company receives for the services for which the Company bills directly under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. The technical reimbursement under the Physician Fee Schedule generally allows for higher reimbursement than under the hospital outpatient prospective payment system, or HOPPS. The implementation of this reimbursement reduction contained in the DRA will have a significant effect on our financial condition and results of operations in 2007.

On July 18, 2006, the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Health conducted a hearing regarding quality and utilization of imaging services and the provisions of the DRA that directly effect Medicare payment for imaging services. Many members of Congress have expressed concern about the impact of the DRA, and both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate introduced bills that would have delayed the effective date of the DRA for two years. The bills were not passed and therefore, they did not become law. The DRA provisions as currently structured became effective January 1, 2007.

On November 1, 2006, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, issued a final determination of Medicare Part B HOPPS reimbursement rates for PET and PET/CT imaging procedures, effective January 1, 2007. For 2007, the national rate for PET scans was reduced from the rate of $1,150 per scan in 2006 to $855 per scan. In addition, for 2007, the national rate for PET/CT scans was reduced from the rate of $1,250 per scan in 2006 to $950 per scan.

For full year 2006, we estimate that approximately 5.6% of our revenue was billed directly to the Medicare program, which increased from approximately 4.3% of our revenue billed directly to the Medicare program in 2005. If the DRA had been in effect for full year 2006, we estimate the reduction in Medicare revenue due to the DRA reimbursement rate decrease would have reduced revenue by approximately $9.7 million. Additionally, the PET and PET/CT Medicare HOPPS reduction would have reduced revenue by approximately $2.8 million. Combined, the DRA and PET and PET/CT Medicare HOPPS rate reductions would have negatively impacted our 2006 revenue and will negatively impact our 2007 revenue by a total of $12.5 million and $14 million, respectively. We expect that the entire revenue decrease would have directly effected earnings.

As a result of the 2007 reductions in Medicare reimbursement rates resulting from the implementation of the DRA and revised PET and PET/CT reimbursements under HOPPS the Company’s wholesale clients may request reductions in billing rates under their respective agreements with the Company. The Company intends to review each request based on the specific client and relevant circumstances.

In addition, the DRA also codifies the reduction in reimbursement for multiple images on contiguous body parts. The DRA mandates payment at 100% of the technical component of the higher-priced imaging procedure and 50% for the technical component of each additional imaging procedure for multiple images of contiguous body parts within a family of codes performed in the same session. Initially, CMS announced that it would phase in this reimbursement reduction over a two-year period, resulting in a 25% reduction for each additional imaging procedure on contiguous body parts in 2006 and an additional 25% reduction in 2007. On November 1, 2006, however, CMS announced that it would not implement the additional 25% reduction in 2007. The implementation of this reimbursement reduction did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2006. We continue to believe that the implementation of this reimbursement reduction will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations in the future.

The principal components of our cost of revenues are compensation paid to technologists and drivers, system maintenance costs, medical supplies, system transportation and technologists’ travel costs. Because a majority of these expenses are fixed, increased revenues as a result of higher scan volumes per system significantly improves our margins while lower scan volumes result in lower margins.

38




The principal components of selling, general and administrative expenses are sales and marketing costs, corporate overhead costs, provision for doubtful accounts, and non-cash share-based compensation.

We record minority interest expense and earnings from unconsolidated investees related to our consolidated and unconsolidated subsidiaries, respectively. These subsidiaries primarily provide shared-service and fixed-site diagnostic imaging and therapeutic services.

In 2005 and 2006, the growth rate of MRI industry wide scan volumes has slowed in part due to weak hospital volumes as reported by several investor-owned hospital companies, a growing number of medical groups adding imaging capacity within their practice setting, the increasing trend of third-party payors intensifying their utilization management efforts to control MRI scan volume growth rate and additional patient-related cost-sharing programs. We expect that this trend will continue throughout 2007.

In recent years, we began to see an increase in the competitive climate in the MRI industry, resulting in an increase in activity by original equipment manufacturers, or OEM’s, selling systems directly to certain of our clients. Typically, OEM’s target our higher scan volume clients. This increase in activity by OEM’s has resulted in overcapacity of systems in the marketplace, especially related to medical groups adding imaging capacity within their practice setting. This has caused an increase in the number of our higher scan volume clients deciding not to renew their contracts. We replace these higher volume scan clients typically with lower volume clients. During 2006, our MRI revenues modestly declined compared to 2005 levels and we believe that MRI revenues will continue to modestly decline in future years.

At December 31, 2006, we had approximately $67.2 million of net operating losses available for federal tax purposes and $19.1 million for state tax purposes to offset future taxable income, subject to certain limitations. These net operating losses will expire at various dates from 2007 through 2024.

Seasonality

We experience seasonality in the revenues and margins generated for our services. First and fourth quarter revenues are historically lower than those from the second and third quarters. First quarter revenue is affected primarily by fewer calendar days and inclement weather, typically resulting in fewer patients being scanned during the period. Fourth quarter revenue is affected primarily by holiday and client and patient vacation schedules and inclement weather, also resulting in fewer scans during the period. The variability in margins is higher than the variability in revenues due to the fixed nature of our costs.

KKR Acquisition

On November 2, 1999, Viewer Holdings L.L.C., an affiliate of KKR, acquired approximately 92% of Alliance in a recapitalization merger. Viewer is owned by two investment funds sponsored by KKR.

The KKR acquisition consisted of a recapitalization merger in 1999 in which a wholly-owned subsidiary of Viewer was merged with and into Alliance. Upon the consummation of the KKR acquisition, Viewer owned approximately 92% of Alliance.

In connection with the KKR acquisition, we incurred a significant amount of debt. As of December 31, 2006, we had $529.4 million of outstanding debt, consisting of $367.2 million of borrowings under our credit facility, $3.5 million aggregate principal amount of outstanding 103¤8% senior subordinated notes due 2011 (the “103¤8% Notes”), $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of outstanding 71¤4% senior subordinated notes due 2012 (the “71¤4% Notes”), and $8.7 million of equipment debt. Our indebtedness could require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow to payments on our debt and thereby reduce the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, make capital expenditures and invest in the growth of our business. In addition, the substantial interest payments on our debt could make it more difficult for us to achieve and sustain profitability.

39




Recent Transactions

During December 2004, we entered into and completed various debt related transactions in order to lower our overall borrowing costs by retiring substantially all of our $260.0 million 103¤8% Notes through a cash tender offer, or Tender Offer. We entered into a third amendment to our credit agreement which revised our Tranche C term loan facility, or Tranche C1, resulting in incremental borrowings of $154.0 million, decreased the borrowing rate from the London InterBank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, plus 2.375% to LIBOR plus 2.25% and decreased the maximum amount of availability under our existing revolving loan facility from $150.0 million to $70.0 million. We also issued $150.0 million of 71¤4% Notes in a transaction that was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. We used the proceeds from these transactions and existing cash to complete the Tender Offer and redeem $256.4 million of the 103¤8% Notes at a redemption price equal to 113.856% of the principal amount, together with the accrued interest to the redemption date. We incurred a loss on early retirement of debt of $44.4 million for the tender offer which represents the tender premium and consent payment to redeem the 103¤8% Notes, write off of unamortized debt issuance costs and other fees and expenses related to the redemption of the 103¤8% Notes.

During December 2005, we entered into a fourth amendment to our Credit Agreement which revised our maximum consolidated leverage ratio covenant to a level not to exceed 4.00 to 1.00 as of the last day of any fiscal quarter until the expiration of the agreement. Prior to the fourth amendment, our maximum consolidated leverage ratio covenant was 3.75 to 1.00 as of the last day of any fiscal quarter beginning March 31, 2006 to the expiration of the agreement. The fourth amendment also requires us to maintain a maximum consolidated senior leverage ratio covenant at a level not to exceed 3.00 to 1.00 as of the last day of any fiscal quarter. The amendment increased the Tranche C1 LIBOR margin from an annual rate of 2.25% to 2.50%. In connection with the amendment, we incurred an amendment fee of $0.6 million.

Effective September 1, 2005, we acquired certain assets associated with nine multi-modality fixed-site diagnostic imaging centers. The multi-modality fixed-site diagnostic imaging centers include one MRI system, six CT systems and 29 other modality systems. The purchase price consisted of $7.7 million in cash and $0.8 million in assumed liabilities and transaction costs. The acquisition was financed using our internally generated funds. As a result of this acquisition, we recorded goodwill and intangible assets of $2.2 million and $2.4 million, respectively. The intangible assets were recorded at fair value at the acquisition date. All recorded goodwill is deductible for tax purposes and will be amortized over 15 years for tax purposes. The acquisition also includes $0.2 million of contingent payment due to the shareholders of the centers if certain performance targets are met over a three year period. When the contingency is resolved and consideration is distributable, we will record the fair value of the consideration as additional purchase price to goodwill. During the year ended December 31, 2006, we increased goodwill by $0.01 million as a result of changes in the original valuation of assets and liabilities acquired. The year ended December 31, 2005 included four months of operations from this acquisition. We have not included pro forma information as this acquisition did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Effective October 1, 2005, we acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of PET Scans of America Corp. (“PSA”), a mobile provider of PET and PET/CT services primarily to hospitals in 13 states. The purchase price consisted of $36.6 million in cash and $3.7 million in assumed liabilities and transaction costs. The acquisition was financed using our revolving line of credit, internally generated funds, and capital leases. As a result of this acquisition we acquired intangible assets of $11.4 million, of which $9.1 million was assigned to PSA customer contracts, which will be amortized over 10 years, and $2.1 million was assigned to certificates of need held by PSA, which have indefinite useful lives and are not subject to amortization. We recorded total goodwill of $22.5 million, which includes $3.0 million of goodwill related to income tax timing differences as a result of the acquisition. None of the goodwill recorded is deductible for tax purposes. During the year ended December 31, 2006, we increased goodwill by $0.02 million as a result of changes in the original valuation of assets and liabilities acquired and decreased goodwill by $1.3 million as

40




a result of the identification of additional deferred tax assets created by book/tax basis differences in depreciable assets in connection with the acquisition of PSA. The year ended December 31, 2005 included three months of operations from this acquisition. We have not included pro forma information as this acquisition did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In late December 2005, we purchased an additional equity interest in a joint venture we formed in 2004 with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. The joint venture, Alliance Oncology (“AO”), is designed to partner with hospitals to build and operate radiation oncology centers, with an emphasis on intensity modulated radiation therapy and image guided radiation therapy. We now own 80% of AO. As a result of this acquisition we recorded goodwill of $6.9 million, which is deductible for tax purposes and is amortized over 15 years. During the year ended December 31, 2006, we increased goodwill by $0.06 million as a result of changes in the original valuation of assets and liabilities acquired. The year ended December 31, 2005 did not include any consolidated results of operations from this acquisition due to the small number of days between the acquisition date and the fiscal year end. During the year we recorded earnings in unconsolidated investees for our share of AO’s previously unconsolidated earnings. We have not included pro forma information as this acquisition did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

On November 27, 2006, affiliates of KKR sold 9.2 million shares of our common stock in an underwritten secondary public offering. Following completion of the offering, KKR beneficially owned approximately 52% of our outstanding shares of common stock. We did not sell any shares and did not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares in the public offering.

Results of Operations

The discussion and analysis set forth below in this Item 7 has been amended to reflect the restatement as described in the Explanatory Note to the amended Annual Report on Form 10-K/A and in Note 17 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report. For this reason, the data set forth in this section may not be comparable to discussions and data in our previously filed Annual Reports.

The table below shows the components in our consolidated statements of operations as a percentage of revenues:

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

 

Revenues

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization

 

50.4

 

52.5

 

53.6

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

11.1

 

11.2

 

11.8

 

Employment agreement costs

 

0.5

 

0.1

 

 

Severance and related costs

 

0.3

 

0.2

 

0.2

 

Loss on early retirement of debt

 

10.3

 

 

 

Depreciation expense

 

18.6

 

19.2

 

18.3

 

Amortization expense

 

0.8

 

0.9

 

1.1

 

Interest expense, net of interest income

 

10.3

 

7.9

 

9.0

 

Other (income) and expense, net

 

(0.1

)

(0.1

)

 

Total costs and expenses

 

102.2

 

91.9

 

94.0

 

(Loss) income before income taxes, minority interest expense and earnings from unconsolidated investees

 

(2.2

)

8.1

 

6.0

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

(1.6

)

3.4

 

2.6

 

Minority interest expense

 

0.5

 

0.4

 

0.5

 

Earnings from unconsolidated investees

 

(0.9

)

(0.8

)

(1.2

)

Net (loss) income

 

(0.2

)%

5.1

%

4.1

%

 

41




As noted previously, we have seen a continued decrease in our scan-based MRI revenues and we believe that scan-based MRI revenues from our shared-service operations will continue to modestly decline in future years. The table below provides MRI statistical information for each of the years ended December 31:

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

 

MRI statistics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average number of total systems

 

340.0

 

332.5

 

319.8

 

Average number of scan-based systems

 

293.0

 

282.4

 

270.2

 

Scans per system per day (scan-based systems)

 

9.67

 

9.47

 

9.37

 

Total number of scan-based MRI scans

 

812,730

 

753,020

 

702,898

 

Price per scan

 

$

355.96

 

$

354.59

 

$

359.88

 

 

Over the past three years we have seen an increase in PET and PET/CT revenues and we believe that PET and PET/CT revenues will continue to increase in future years, primarily as a result of planned system additions to satisfy client demand and anticipated expansion of reimbursement coverage by Medicare and other third party payors. The table below provides PET and PET/CT revenue statistical information for each of the years ended December 31:

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

 

PET and PET/CT statistics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average number of systems

 

48.8

 

55.7

 

68.1

 

Scans per system per day

 

4.97

 

5.41

 

5.94

 

Total number of PET and PET/CT scans

 

56,714

 

71,682

 

100,294

 

Price per scan

 

$

1,364

 

$

1,339

 

$

1,316

 

 

Following are the components of revenue (in millions) for each of the years ended December 31:

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

 

Total MRI revenue

 

$

315.9

 

$

293.9

 

$

280.1

 

PET and PET/CT revenue

 

77.5

 

96.4

 

133.3

 

Other modalities and other revenue

 

38.7

 

40.5

 

42.4

 

Total

 

$

432.1

 

$

430.8

 

$

455.8

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2006 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2005

Revenue increased $25.0 million, or 5.8%, to $455.8 million in 2006 compared to $430.8 million in 2005 primarily due to an increase in PET and PET/CT revenues and an increase in other modalities and other revenue, offset by lower MRI revenue. PET and PET/CT revenue in 2006 increased $36.9 million, or 38.3%, compared to 2005. Total PET and PET/CT scan volumes increased 39.9% to 100,294 scans in 2006 from 71,682 scans in 2005, primarily as a result of growth in our core PET business and the PSA acquisition. The average number of PET and PET/CT systems in service increased to 68.1 systems in 2006 from 55.7 systems in 2005. Scans per system per day increased 9.8%, to 5.94 scans per system per day in 2006 from 5.41 scans per system per day in 2005. These PET and PET/CT increases were partially offset by a 1.8% decline in the average price per PET and PET/CT scan, to $1,316 per scan in 2006 compared to $1,339 per scan in 2005. Other modalities and other revenue increased $1.9 million, or 4.6%, to $42.4 million in 2006 compared to $40.5 million in 2005 primarily due to an increase in other fixed-site modality revenue, management contract revenue for our management agreements and reimbursement of expenses from unconsolidated investees. MRI revenue decreased $13.8 million in 2006, or 4.7%, compared to 2005. Scan-based MRI revenue decreased $14.0 million in 2006, or 5.3%, to $253.0 million in 2006, from $267.0 million in 2005. This decrease is primarily a result of an 6.7% decrease in our scan-based MRI scan

42




volume. Scan-based MRI scan volume decreased to 702,898 scans in 2006 from 753,020 scans in 2005, primarily due to a decrease in the average number of scan-based systems in service due to lower client demand. Scan-based systems in service decreased to 270.2 systems in 2006 from 282.4 systems in 2005 to adjust to modestly declining scan volumes and to increase the efficiency of our mobile MRI systems. Average scans per system per day also decreased by 1.1% to 9.37 in 2006 from 9.47 in 2005. These decreases were partially offset by a 1.5% increase in the average price per MRI scan to $359.88 per scan in 2006 compared to $354.59 per scan in 2005 and an increase in non-scan based MRI revenue of $0.2 million in 2006 over 2005. Included in our revenue totals are fixed-site revenues which increased $5.8 million, or 8.6%, to $73.3 million in 2006 from $67.5 million in 2005.

We had 331 MRI systems at December 31, 2006 compared to 351 MRI systems at December 31, 2005. We had 73 PET and PET/CT systems at December 31, 2006 compared to 68 PET and PET/CT systems at December 31, 2005. We operated 68 fixed sites at December 31, 2006, compared to 73 fixed sites at December 31, 2005.

Cost of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization, increased $18.0 million, or 7.9%, to $244.3 million in 2006 compared to $226.3 million in 2005. Compensation and related employee expenses increased $4.6 million, or 4.3%, primarily as a result of an increase in the number of PET and PET/CT technologists who have a higher average hourly wage rate than MRI technologists and an increase in mileage reimbursement costs. This increase in compensation was partially offset by a lower average headcount of MRI technologists as a result of a decrease in the average number of MRI systems in use. Medical supplies increased $3.7 million, or 21.3%, primarily as a result of an increase in the number of PET and PET/CT scans, which use a radiopharmaceutical as a component of the PET and PET/CT scan. Maintenance and related costs increased $1.8 million, or 3.9%, primarily due to an increase in the number of PET/CT systems in service, which have a higher average service cost per system than MRI systems. Management contract expenses increased $2.7 million, or 16.6%, primarily as a result of an increase in expenses incurred on behalf of unconsolidated investees. During 2006, we recorded litigation settlements (including a settlement of our class action lawsuit for $2.5 million) of $3.8 million. Site fee expenses increased $0.4 million, or 7.0%, primarily due to an increase in the number of retail sites in operation. Fuel expenses increased $0.3 million, or 5.5%, primarily due to higher average diesel fuel prices in 2006. All other cost of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization, increased $0.7 million, or 2.1%. Cost of revenues, as a percentage of revenue, increased to 53.6% in 2006 from 52.5% in 2005 as a result of the factors described above.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $5.9 million, or 12.2%, to $54.0 million in 2006 compared to $48.1 million in 2005. Non-cash share-based compensation increased $2.4 million in 2006 from 2005, primarily as a result of the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123(R) (revised December 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” effective January 1, 2006. The provision for doubtful accounts increased $1.3 million, or 47.9%. The provision for doubtful accounts as a percentage of revenue was 0.9% in 2006 compared to 0.6% of revenue in 2005. Compensation and related employee expenses increased $0.5 million, or 1.8%, primarily due to an increase in management incentive compensation. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in recruiting costs. Professional services increased $0.4 million, or 6.1%, primarily due to an increase in legal and secondary offering costs. Director’s fees related to the Director’s Deferred Compensation Plan increased $0.4 million, or 180.8%, as a result of an increase in the fair market value of our stock from December 31, 2005 to December 31, 2006. All other selling, general and administrative expenses increased $0.9 million, or 10.1%. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue were 11.8% and 11.2% in 2006 and 2005, respectively.

We recorded employment agreement costs of $0.4 million in 2005 related to payments under an amendment to an employment agreement with our former chairman of the board.

43




We recorded severance and related costs of $0.7 million in 2006 primarily for severance costs associated with reductions-in-force primarily due to our consolidation of five geographic regions to four geographic regions and a reduction in administrative headcount. We recorded severance and related costs of $0.8 million in 2005 primarily for severance costs associated with reductions-in-force

Depreciation expense increased $0.9 million, or 1.1%, to $83.4 million in 2006 compared to $82.5 million in 2005, principally due to an increase in the number of PET/CT systems which have a higher cost basis than MRI systems.

Amortization expense increased by $1.0 million, or 24.8%, to $4.9 million in 2006 compared to $4.0 million in 2005, primarily due to the amortization of intangible assets acquired in conjunction with our acquisitions in the third and fourth quarters of 2005.

Interest expense, net, increased $6.9 million, or 20.1%, to $41.1 million in 2006 compared to $34.2 million in 2005. This increase is due to higher average debt balances during 2006 as a result of the third and fourth quarter of 2005 acquisitions and higher average interest rates on our variable rate term loans. The increase in interest rates on our variable rate term loans was partially offset by the execution of various collar agreements in 2005 to hedge against future interest rate increases on a portion of our variable rate term loans. Of the total increase, $4.4 million was related to variability in the fair value of our interest rate swaps executed in 2004.

Income tax expense was $12.0 million and $14.8 million in 2006 and 2005, respectively, resulting in effective income tax rates of 39.2% and 40.3% in 2006 and 2005, respectively. Our effective income tax rates for 2006 and 2005 were higher than the federal statutory rate primarily as a result of state income taxes.

Minority interest expense increased $0.4 million, or 20.8%, to $2.1 million in 2006 compared to $1.7 million in 2005, primarily due to an increase in earnings of consolidated joint ventures.

Our net income was $18.6 million, or $0.37 per share on a diluted basis, in 2006 compared to $21.8 million, or $0.43 per share on a diluted basis, in 2005.

Year Ended December 31, 2005 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2004

Revenue decreased $1.3 million, or 0.3%, to $430.8 million in 2005 compared to $432.1 million in 2004 as a result of lower MRI revenue, partially offset by higher PET and PET/CT revenue and higher other modalities revenue. MRI revenue in 2005 decreased $22.0 million, or 7.0%, compared to 2004. Scan-based MRI revenue decreased $22.3 million, or 7.7%, to $267.0 million in 2005, from $289.3 million in 2004, primarily as a result of a 7.3% decrease in our scan-based MRI scan volume. Scan-based MRI scan volume decreased to 753,020 scans in 2005 from 812,730 scans in 2004, primarily due to a decrease in the average number of scan-based systems in service due to lower client demand. Scan-based systems in services decreased to 282.4 systems in 2005 from 293.0 systems in 2004 to adjust to modestly declining scan volumes and to increase the efficiency of our MRI systems. Average scans per system per day also decreased by 2.1% to 9.47 in 2005 from 9.67 in 2004. The average price per MRI scan decreased by 0.4% to $354.59 per scan in 2005 compared to $355.96 per scan in 2004. These decreases were partially offset by a $0.3 million increase in non-scan based MRI revenue. PET and PET/CT revenue in 2005 increased $18.9 million, or 24.4%, compared to 2004. Total PET and PET/CT scan volumes increased 26.4% to 71,682 scans in 2005 from 56,714 scans in 2004, primarily as a result of an increase in the average number of PET and PET/CT systems in operation. The average number of PET and PET/CT systems in service increased to 55.7 systems in 2005 from 48.8 systems in 2004. Scans per system per day also increased 8.9%, to 5.41 scans per system per day in 2005 from 4.97 in 2004. These increases were offset by a decrease in the average price per PET and PET/CT scan of 1.7% to $1,339 per scan in 2005 compared to $1,364 per scan in 2004. Other modalities and other revenue increased $1.8 million, or 4.7%, to $40.5 million in 2005

44




compared to $38.7 million in 2004 primarily due to an increase in other fixed-site modality revenue, management contract revenue for our management agreements and reimbursement of expenses from unconsolidated investees. These increases in other modality and other revenue were partially offset by a decrease of CT revenue. Included in the revenue totals above are fixed-site revenues which increased $11.1 million, or 19.7%, to $67.5 million in 2005 from $56.4 million in 2004.

We had 351 MRI systems at December 31, 2005 compared to 362 MRI systems at December 31, 2004. We had 68 PET and PET/CT systems at December 31, 2005 compared to 54 PET and PET/CT systems at December 31, 2004. We operated 73 fixed sites at December 31, 2005, which includes 9 fixed sites acquired through our third quarter acquisition, compared to 61 fixed sites at December 31, 2004.

Cost of revenues increased $8.7 million, or 4.0%, to $226.3 million in 2005 compared to $217.6 million in 2004. Equipment rental costs increased $2.0 million, or 59.7%, primarily as a result of acquired operating leases in October 2005 and a higher number of MRI rental systems in use. Management contract expenses increased $1.9 million, or 20.4%, primarily as a result of an increase in expenses incurred on behalf of unconsolidated joint ventures. Maintenance and related costs increased $1.6 million, or 3.5%, primarily due to an increase in the average service cost per system, offset by a decrease in cryogen expense as a result of a decrease in MRI systems in service and cryogen sourcing discounts. Fuel expenses increased $1.1 million, or 22.1%, primarily due to higher diesel fuel prices in 2005. Outside medical services increased $0.8 million, or 9.7%, primarily as a result of an increase in outside radiologists service costs associated with PET and PET/CT. Compensation and related employee expenses increased $0.8 million, or 0.7%, primarily as a result of the increase of PET and PET/CT technologists who have a higher average hourly wage rate than MRI technologists, an increase in mileage reimbursement rates and an increase in recruiting costs. This increase in payroll was partially offset by a lower average headcount of MRI technologists as a result of a decrease in the average number of MRI systems in use. Tractor and transportation costs decreased $0.8 million, or 21.3%, as a result of improved route efficiencies and a decrease in the number of power units necessary to move systems. Medical supplies increased $0.6 million, or 3.0%, primarily as a result of an increase in the number of PET and PET/CT systems in operation, which use a radiopharmaceutical as a component of the scan. The increase in medical supplies was partially offset by a decrease in the price of the radiopharmaceutical used for PET and PET/CT scans and a decrease in film costs related to lower MRI scan volume and an increase in demand for digital images, as well as film purchasing sourcing discounts. Professional services increased $0.5 million, or 52.7%, primarily as a result of consulting fees incurred related to new fixed-site projects and legal costs incurred to obtain certificates of need. All other operating expenses, excluding depreciation, increased $0.2 million, or 1.3%, primarily due to the increase in the number of systems in service. Cost of revenues, as a percentage of revenue, increased to 52.5% in 2005 from 50.4% in 2004 as a result of the factors described above.

Selling, general and administrative expenses remained relatively constant at $48.1 million in each of the years ended 2005 and 2004. The provision for doubtful accounts increased $1.8 million in 2005 to $2.6 million compared to $0.8 million in 2004, primarily as a result of the collection of higher than normal amounts of aged accounts receivable in 2004. The provision for doubtful accounts was 0.6% of revenue in 2005 compared to 0.2% of revenue in 2004. Professional services increased $0.7 million, or 46.7%, primarily due to professional service costs associated with our Form S-3 shelf registration statement filed during the year as well as an increase in legal and investor relations costs. Compensation and related employee expenses decreased $1.2 million, or 3.3%, primarily due to a decrease in management incentive compensation. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in recruiting costs primarily to further develop the sales, business development, human resources and finance infrastructure and an increase in costs associated with national management meetings. Director’s fees related to the Director’s Deferred Compensation Plan in which directors are issued phantom shares as compensation for their services decreased $0.7 million, or 146.0%, as a result of a reduction in the fair market value our stock price from December 31, 2004 to December 31, 2005. All other selling, general and administrative expenses decreased

45




$0.6 million, or 6.9%. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue were 11.2% and 11.1% in 2005 and 2004, respectively.

We recorded employment agreement expenses of $0.4 million in 2005 related to payments under an amendment to an employment agreement with our former chairman of the board. We recorded employment agreement expenses of $2.1 million in 2004 related to an employment agreement with our former chief financial officer and payments under an amendment to an employment agreement with our former chairman of the board. We do not expect to incur any further costs relating to the amended employment agreement with our former chairman of the board.

We recorded severance and related costs of $0.8 million in 2005 primarily for severance costs associated with reductions-in-force. We recorded severance and related costs of $1.2 million in 2004 primarily for severance costs associated with reductions-in-force due to our consolidation of 10 operating regions to 5 geographic regions and a further consolidation of our retail billing and scheduling functions.

We recorded a loss on early retirement of debt of $44.4 million in 2004 related to the refinancing of our 103¤8% Notes and our credit facility. This charge primarily consisted of tender offer and consent payments on the 103¤8% Notes, write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs related to the early extinguishment of debt and other fees and expenses related to the redemption of the 103¤8% Notes.

Depreciation expense increased $2.0 million, or 2.5%, to $82.5 million in 2005 compared to $80.5 million in 2004, principally due to an increase in the number of PET/CT systems which are more expensive than MRIs.

Amortization expense increased $0.5 million, or 12.3%, to $4.0 million in 2005 compared to $3.5 million in 2004.

Interest expense, net, decreased $10.3 million, or 23.2%, to $34.2 million in 2005 compared to $44.5 million in 2004. This decrease was primarily a result of lower average interest rates on our senior subordinated notes which were refinanced in December 2004 as well as lower average debt balances during the first nine months of 2005 versus 2004. Of the total decrease, $3.8 million was related to variability in the fair value of our interest rate swaps executed in 2004.

Income tax expense was $14.8 million in 2005, resulting in an effective tax rate of 40.3%. Our effective tax rate was higher than the statutory rate primarily as a result of state income taxes. In 2004, we recorded an income tax benefit of $7.0 million. We recorded a higher than statutory income tax benefit primarily due to the reversal of income tax reserves of $5.1 million primarily related to the favorable outcome of examinations of our 1998 and 1999 federal income tax returns and a favorable final IRS determination related to the treatment of an income item in a federal income tax return of one of our subsidiaries.

Minority interest expense decreased by $0.7 million, or 27.6%, to $1.7 million in 2005 compared to $2.4 million in 2004, primarily due to a decrease in earnings of consolidated joint ventures.

Earnings from unconsolidated investees decreased $0.7 million, or 17.0%, to $3.3 million in 2005 compared to $4.0 million in 2004, primarily due to net losses in 2005 from newly formed unconsolidated investees.

Our net income was $21.8 million, or $0.43 per share on a diluted basis in 2005 compared to net loss of $(0.8) million, or $(0.02) per share on a diluted basis in 2004.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary source of liquidity is cash provided by operating activities. We generated $115.8 million and $127.1 million of cash flow from operating activities in 2006 and 2005, respectively. Our ability to generate cash flow is affected by numerous factors, including demand for MRI, PET and other diagnostic

46




imaging services. Our ability to generate cash flow from operating activities is also dependent upon the collections of our accounts receivable. Our number of days of revenue outstanding for our accounts receivable was 46 days and 43 days as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, which we believe is among the more favorable in the healthcare service industry. In addition, as of December 31, 2006, we had $64.1 million available borrowings under our revolving line of credit.

Our primary use of capital resources is to fund capital expenditures. We used cash of $63.5 million and $134.4 million for investing activities in 2006 and 2005, respectively. Investing activities in 2005 includes $50.2 million used for acquisitions. We incur capital expenditures for the purposes of:

·       purchasing new systems;

·       replacing less advanced systems with new systems; and

·       providing upgrades of our MRI and PET and PET/CT systems and upgrading our corporate infrastructure for future growth.

Capital expenditures totaled $75.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2006 compared to capital expenditures of $76.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. During 2006, we purchased 14 MRI systems, 23 PET/CT systems, 5 CT systems and one other system. We traded-in or sold a total of 61 total systems for the year ended December 31, 2006. Our decision to purchase a new system is typically predicated on obtaining new or extending existing client contracts, which serve as the basis of demand for the new system. We expect to purchase additional systems in 2007 and finance substantially all of these purchases with our available cash, cash from operating activities, our revolving line of credit, and equipment leases. Based upon the client demand described above, which dictates the type of equipment purchased, we expect capital expenditures to total approximately $75 to $85 million in 2007.

In connection with the 1999 acquisition of Alliance Imaging by an affiliate of KKR, we entered into a $616.0 million credit agreement consisting of a $131.0 million Tranche A Term Loan Facility, a $150.0 million Tranche B Term Facility, a $185.0 million Tranche C Term Loan Facility, and a Revolving Loan Facility. On June 11, 2002, we entered into a second amendment to the credit agreement and completed a $286.0 million refinancing of our Tranche B and C term loan facility. Under the terms of the amended term loan facility, we received proceeds of $286.0 from a new Tranche C term loan facility, and used the entire amount of the proceeds to retire $145.5 million and $140.5 million owed under Tranche B and C of our existing term loan facility, respectively. The new Tranche C borrowing rate was decreased to London InterBank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 2.375%. The borrowing rate under the previously applicable Tranche B borrowing rate had been LIBOR plus 2.750% and the previously applicable Tranche C borrowing rate had been LIBOR plus 3.000%.

In December 2004, we entered into a third amendment to our credit agreement which revised our Tranche C term loan facility (“Tranche C1”) resulting in incremental borrowings of $154.0 million and decreased the maximum amount of availability under our existing revolving loan facility from $150.0 million to $70.0 million. We applied the proceeds from the amendment to retirement of $256.4 million of our $260.0 million 103¤8% Notes through a cash tender offer (the “Tender Offer”, described below). The amended Tranche C1 borrowing rate decreased to LIBOR plus 2.250%. On December 19, 2005 we entered into a fourth amendment to our Credit Agreement which revised our maximum consolidated leverage ratio covenant to a level not to exceed 4.00 to 1.00 as of the last day of any fiscal quarter until the expiration of the agreement. Prior to the fourth amendment, our maximum consolidated leverage ratio covenant was 3.75 to 1.00 as of the last day of any fiscal quarter beginning March 31, 2006 to the expiration of the agreement. The fourth amendment also requires us to maintain a maximum consolidated senior leverage ratio covenant at a level not to exceed 3.00 to 1.00 as of the last day of any fiscal quarter. The amendment increased the Tranche C1 LIBOR margin from an annual rate of 2.250% to 2.500%. In connection with the amendment, we incurred an amendment fee of $0.6 million.

47




At December 31, 2006, we did not have any borrowings outstanding under the revolving loan facility and had $64.1 million in available borrowings under the revolving loan facility. The amended credit agreement contains restrictive covenants which, among other things, limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, dividends, transactions with affiliates, asset sales, acquisitions, mergers and consolidations, liens and encumbrances, capital expenditures and prepayments of other indebtedness.

As of December 31, 2006, we are in compliance with all covenants contained in our credit agreement and forecast that we will be in compliance with these covenants in 2007. However, if we are unable to generate sufficient Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in our credit agreement, or manage our indebtedness to sufficient levels, we could be out of compliance with our maximum consolidated leverage ratio and maximum consolidated senior leverage ratio. Our failure to comply with these covenants could permit the lenders under the credit agreement to declare all amounts borrowed under the agreement, together with accrued interest and fees, to be immediately due and payable. If the indebtedness under the credit facility is accelerated, we may not have sufficient assets to repay amounts due under the credit facility. If we are not able to refinance our debt, we could become subject to bankruptcy proceedings.

In December 2004, we completed a Tender Offer and redeemed $256.4 million of our outstanding 103¤8% Notes. We redeemed substantially all of the 103¤8% Notes at a redemption price equal to 113.856% of the principal amount, together with the accrued interest to the redemption date. We incurred a loss on early retirement of debt of $44.4 million for the tender offer which represents the tender premium and consent payment to redeem the 103¤8% Notes, write off of unamortized debt issuance costs, and fees and expenses related to the redemption of the 103¤8% Notes. We used the remaining proceeds from the amended term loan facility, proceeds from the sale of our 71¤4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2012 (“71¤4% Notes”), and existing cash to settle the tender premium and consent payment. At December 31, 2006, we had $3.6 million remaining of the original $260.0 million 103¤8% Notes. As of December 31, 2006, we were in compliance with all covenants contained in our 103¤8% Notes and forecast that we will be in compliance with these covenants in 2007.

In December 2004, we issued $150.0 million of our 71¤4% Notes in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and applied the proceeds to repayment of our 103¤8% Notes. The 71¤4% Notes contain restrictive covenants which, among other things, limit the incurrence of additional indebtedness, dividends, transactions with affiliates, asset sales, acquisitions, mergers and consolidations, liens and encumbrances, and restrictive payments. The 71¤4% Notes are unsecured senior subordinated obligations and are subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future senior debt, including bank debt, and all obligations of our subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2006, we were in compliance with all covenants contained in the 71¤4% Notes and forecast that we will be in compliance with these covenants in 2007. Our failure to comply with these covenants could permit the trustee under the Indenture relating to the 71¤4% Notes and the note holders to declare the principal amounts under the 71¤4% Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, to be immediately due and payable. If the indebtedness under the 71¤4% Notes, or any of our other indebtedness, is accelerated, and we are not able to refinance our debt, we could become subject to bankruptcy proceedings.

During 2004, we entered into interest rate swap agreements, with notional amounts of $56.8 million, $46.8 million and $48.4 million to manage the future cash interest payments associated with a portion of our variable rate bank debt. These agreements mature in 2007. We record changes in the fair value of the swaps through interest expense.

In the first quarter of 2005, we entered into multiple interest rate collar agreements for our variable rate bank debt. The total underlying notional amount of the debt was $178.0 million. Under these arrangements we have purchased a cap on the interest rate of 4.00% and have sold a floor of 2.25%. We paid a net purchase price of $1.5 million for these collars. These agreements are two and three years in

48




length and mature at various dates between January 2007 and January 2008. We have designated these collars as cash flow hedges of variable future cash flows associated with our long-term debt and will record subsequent changes in the fair value of the collars through comprehensive income during the period these instruments are designated as hedges.

In 2006, we used cash flow from operating activities to pay down $17.7 million under Tranche C1 of the term loan facility.

The maturities of our long-term debt, including interest, future payments under our operating leases and binding equipment purchase commitments as of December 31, 2006 are as follows:

Contractual Obligations

 

 

 

2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

2011

 

Thereafter

 

Total

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

Term Loan—Tranche C1

 

$

27.3

 

$

28.8

 

$

28.9

 

$

29.5

 

$

395.5

 

 

$

 

 

$

510.0

 

Revolving Loan Facility

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

103¤8% Senior Subordinated Notes

 

0.4

 

0.4

 

0.4

 

0.4

 

3.6

 

 

 

 

5.2

 

71¤4% Senior Subordinated Notes

 

10.9

 

10.9

 

10.9

 

10.9

 

10.9

 

 

160.4

 

 

214.9

 

Equipment Loans

 

3.4

 

2.8

 

2.1

 

1.2

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

9.9

 

Operating Leases

 

5.6

 

4.5

 

3.4

 

2.0

 

1.4

 

 

1.3

 

 

18.2

 

Letters of Credit

 

5.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.9

 

Equipment Purchase Commitments

 

33.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33.7

 

Total Contractual Obligation Payments

 

87.2

 

47.4

 

45.7

 

44.0

 

411.8

 

 

161.7

 

 

797.8

 

Less Amount Representing Interest

 

(39.1

)

(40.4

)

(40.4

)

(40.2

)

(39.9

)

 

(10.4

)

 

(210.4

)

Present Value of Future Contractual Obligations

 

$

48.1

 

$

7.0

 

$

5.3

 

$

3.8

 

$

371.9

 

 

$

151.3

 

 

$

587.4

 

 

We believe that, based on current levels of operations, our cash flow from operating activities, together with other available sources of liquidity, including borrowings available under our revolving loan facility, will be sufficient over the next one to two years to fund anticipated capital expenditures and make required payments of principal and interest on our debt.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The significant accounting policies which we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results include the following:

Revenue Recognition

The majority of our revenues is derived directly from healthcare providers and is primarily for imaging services. To a lesser extent, revenues are generated from direct billings to patients or their medical payors which are recorded net of contractual discounts and other arrangements for providing services at less than established patient billing rates. Revenues from direct patient billing amounted to approximately 13% of revenues in each of the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004. We continuously monitor collections from direct patient billings and compare these collections to revenue, net of contractual discounts, recorded at the time of service. While such contractual discounts have historically been within our expectations and the provisions established, an inability to accurately estimate contractual discounts in the future could have a material adverse impact on our operating results. As the price is predetermined, all revenues are recognized at the time the delivery of imaging service has occurred and collectibility is

49




reasonably assured which is based upon contract terms with healthcare providers and negotiated rates with third-party payors and patients.

Accounts Receivable

We provide shared and single-user diagnostic imaging equipment and technical support services to the healthcare industry and directly to patients on an outpatient basis. Substantially all of our accounts receivable are due from hospitals, other healthcare providers and health insurance providers located throughout the United States. Services are generally provided pursuant to long-term contracts with hospitals and other healthcare providers or directly to patients, and generally collateral is not required. Receivables generally are collected within industry norms for third-party payors. We continuously monitor collections from our clients and maintain a provision for estimated credit losses based upon any specific client collection issues that we have identified and our historical experience. While such credit losses have historically been within our expectations and the provisions established, an inability to accurately estimate credit losses in the future could have a material adverse impact on our operating results.

Goodwill and Long-Lived Assets

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS 142”) requires that goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives not be amortized, but instead be tested for impairment at least annually. In accordance with SFAS 142, we have selected to perform an annual impairment test for goodwill based on the financial information for the twelve months ended September 30, or more frequently when an event occurs or circumstances change to indicate an impairment of these assets has possibly occurred. Goodwill is allocated to our various reporting units which are our geographical regions. SFAS 142 requires us to compare the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount on an annual basis to determine if there is potential impairment. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the implied fair value of the goodwill within the reporting unit is less than the carrying value. The fair value of the reporting unit is determined based on discounted cash flows, market multiples or appraised values as appropriate. We comply with periodic impairment test procedures. In 2004, 2005, and 2006 we concluded that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, indicating no goodwill impairment was present. No triggering events occurred during the fourth quarters of 2004, 2005 and 2006 which required an additional impairment test as of December 31, 2004, 2005, or 2006. SFAS 142 also requires intangible assets with definite useful lives to be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values and reviewed for impairment in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long Lived-Assets”.

Deferred Income Taxes

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, applying enacted statutory tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Future income tax benefits are recognized only to the extent that the realization of such benefits is considered to be more likely than not. We regularly review our deferred income tax assets for recoverability and establish a valuation allowance based on historical taxable income, projected future taxable income, and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences. If we are unable to generate sufficient future taxable income, or if there is a material change in the actual effective income tax rates or time period within which the underlying temporary differences become taxable or deductible, we could be required to significantly increase our valuation allowance resulting in a substantial increase in our effective tax rate which could have a material adverse impact on our operating results.

50




Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 154, “Accounting for Changes and Error Corrections,” (“SFAS 154”), which is a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20, “Accounting Changes,” and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 3, “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial Statements.” This statement changes the requirements for the accounting for and reporting of all voluntary changes in accounting principle and in the instance that a pronouncement does not include specific transition provisions. This statement requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements of changes in accounting principle, unless it is impracticable to determine either the period-specific effects or the cumulative effect of the change. SFAS 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The adoption of SFAS 154 did not have an impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In June 2005, the FASB issued Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 04-05, “Determining Whether a General Partner, or the General Partners as a Group, Controls a Limited Partnership or Similar Entity When the Limited Partners Have Certain Rights,” (“EITF 04-05”). EITF 04-05 clarifies how general partners in a limited partnership should determine whether they control a limited partnership. A general partner of a limited partnership is presumed to control the limited partnership unless the limited partners have substantive kick-out rights or participating rights. For general partners of all new limited partnerships formed and for existing limited partnerships for which the partnership agreements are modified, EITF 04-05 is effective after June 29, 2005. For general partners in all other limited partnerships, EITF 04-05 is effective for the first period in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. We adopted EITF 04-05 in the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2006. The adoption of EITF 04-05 did not have an impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” (“FIN 48”), an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” (“FASB 109”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB 109. This Interpretation prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. FIN 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We are currently evaluating the provisions of FIN 48 and the impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations, which we will adopt on January 1, 2007.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” (“SFAS 157”), which enhances the existing guidance for measuring assets and liabilities using fair value. This statement provides a single definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS 157 emphasizes fair value as a market-based measurement instead of an entity-specific measurement. The statement sets out a fair value hierarchy with the highest priority being quoted prices in active markets. SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS 157 and the impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations. We will adopt SFAS 157 for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008.

In September 2006, the Securities Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, “Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements When Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements,” or SAB 108, which states that registrants should use both a balance sheet approach and an income statement approach when quantifying and evaluating the materiality of a misstatement, contains guidance on correcting errors under the dual approach, and provides transition guidance for

51




correcting errors existing in prior years. SAB 108 is effective for fiscal years ending after November 15, 2006. The adoption of SAB 108 did not have an impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS 159”), which permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. This Statement is expected to expand the use of fair value measurement, which is consistent with the Board’s long-term measurement objectives for accounting for financial instruments. SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS 159 and the impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations. We will adopt SFAS 159 for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008.

Cautionary Statement Pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Certain statements contained in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, particularly in the section entitled “Liquidity and Capital Resources”, and elsewhere in this annual report on Form 10-K/A, are “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

In some cases you can identify these statements by forward looking words, such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “seek,” “intend” and “continue” or similar words. Forward looking statements may also use different phrases. Forward looking statements address, among other things, our future expectations, projections of our future results of operation or of our financial condition and other forward looking information.

We believe it is important to communicate our expectations to our investors. However, there may be events in the future that we are not able to accurately predict or that we do not fully control that cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward looking statements, including:

·       our high degree of leverage and our ability to service our debt;

·       factors affecting our leverage, including interest rates;

·       the risk that the counter-parties to our interest rate swap agreements fail to satisfy their obligations under these agreements;

·       the effect of operating and financial restrictions in our debt agreements;

·       our estimates regarding our capital requirements;

·       intense levels of competition in the diagnostic imaging services and imaging systems industry;

·       changes in the rates or methods of third-party reimbursements for diagnostic imaging services;

·       changes in the healthcare regulatory environment;

·       our ability to keep pace with technological developments within our industry;

·       the growth in the market for MRI and other services;

·       the disruptive effect of hurricanes and other natural disasters;

52




·       our ability to successfully integrate any future acquisitions; and

·       other factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in this annual report on Form 10-K/A.

This Form 10-K/A includes statistical data that we obtained from public industry publications. These publications generally indicate that they have obtained their information from sources believed to be reliable, but do not guarantee the accuracy and completeness of their information. Although we believe that the publications are reliable, we have not independently verified their data.

Item 7A.                Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We sell our services exclusively in the United States and receive payment for our services exclusively in United States dollars. As a result, our financial results are unlikely to be affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in foreign markets.

Our interest expense is sensitive to changes in the general level of interest rates in the United States, particularly because the majority of our indebtedness has interest rates which are variable. The recorded carrying amount of our long-term debt under our existing credit agreement approximates fair value as these borrowings have variable rates that reflect currently available terms and conditions for similar debt. To decrease the risk associated with interest rate increases, we entered into multiple interest rate swap and collar agreements for a portion of our variable rate debt. The collars are designated as cash flow hedges of variable future cash flows associated with our long-term debt.

During 2004 we entered into swap agreements which have notional amounts of $56.8 million, $46.8 million and $48.4 million at December 31, 2006. Under the terms of these agreements, we receive three-month LIBOR and pay a fixed rate of 3.15%, 3.89%, and 3.69%, respectively. The net effect is to record interest expense at fixed rates of 5.65%, 6.39% and 6.19% respectively, as the debt incurs interest based on three-month LIBOR plus 2.50%. Changes in the fair value of the swap agreements are recorded in interest expense each period. For the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 we received a net settlement amount of $2.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The swap agreements mature during 2007.

During 2005 we entered into multiple interest rate collar agreements which have a notional amount of $178.0 million. Under the terms of these agreements, we have purchased a cap on the interest rate of 4.00% and have sold a floor of 2.25%. For the year ended December 31, 2006, we received a net settlement amount of $1.3 million on these collar agreements. For the year ended December 31, 2005, we did not record any net settlement on these collar agreements. The collar agreements mature at various dates between January 2007 and January 2008.

The collar agreements have been designated as cash flow hedges of variable future cash flows associated with our long term debt. In accordance with SFAS 133, the collars are recorded at fair value. On a quarterly basis, the fair value of the collars will be determined based on quoted market prices and, assuming perfect effectiveness, the difference between the fair value and the book value of the collars will be recognized in comprehensive income, a component of shareholders’ equity. Any ineffectiveness of the collars is required to be recognized in earnings.

The outstanding interest rate swaps and collars expose us to credit risk in the event that the counterparties to the agreements do not or cannot meet their obligations. The notional amount is used to measure interest to be paid or received and does not represent the amount of exposure to credit loss. The loss would be limited to the amount that would have been received, if any, over the remaining life of the swap and collar agreements. The counterparties to the swaps and collars are major financial institutions and we expect the counterparties to be able to perform their obligations under the swaps and collars.

53




Our interest income is sensitive to changes in the general level of interest rates in the United States, particularly because the majority of our investments are in cash equivalents. The recorded carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities.

The table below provides information about our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. For long-term debt obligations, the table presents principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates by expected (contractual) maturity dates. All amounts are in United States dollars.

 

 

Expected Maturity as of December 31, 2006

 

 

 

2007

 

2008

 

2009

 

2010

 

2011

 

Thereafter

 

Total

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed rate

 

$2.9

 

$2.4

 

$1.9

 

$1.1

 

$0.4

 

 

$153.5

 

 

$162.2

 

 

$153.3

 

 

Average interest rate

 

7.51%

 

7.54%

 

7.62%

 

7.67%

 

7.99%

 

 

7.32%

 

 

7.34%

 

 

7.36%

 

 

Variable rate

 

 

 

 

$0.6

 

$366.6

 

 

 

 

$367.2

 

 

$367.2

 

 

Average interest rate

 

7.36%

 

7.88%

 

7.88%

 

7.88%

 

7.88%

 

 

 

 

7.88%

 

 

7.88%

 

 

 

54




Item 8.                        Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

ALLIANCE IMAGING, INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

56

 

Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets (as restated)

 

57

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income (as restated)

 

58

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (as restated)

 

59

 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit (as restated)

 

60

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

61

 

 

55




REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Alliance Imaging, Inc.
Anaheim, California

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Alliance Imaging, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income, cash flows and stockholders’ deficit for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006. Our audits also included the consolidated financial statement schedule for the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, listed in the Index at Item 15(a)(2). These consolidated financial statements and the consolidated financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and the consolidated financial statement schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Alliance Imaging, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2006 and 2005, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such consolidated financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

As discussed in Notes 2 and 4 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for share-based compensation in 2006.

As discussed in Note 17, the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been restated.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006, based on the criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 16, 2007 expressed an unqualified opinion on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Deloitte & Touche LLP

Costa Mesa, California
March 16, 2007 (July 31, 2007, as to the effects of the restatement discussed in Note 17)

56




ALLIANCE IMAGING, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

December 31,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2005

 

2006

 

 

 

 

(as restated,
see Note 17)

 

 

 

(as restated, see Note 17)

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

$

13,421

 

 

 

$

16,440

 

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of
$5,858 in 2005 and $6,629 in 2006

 

 

48,236

 

 

 

51,569

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

6,186

 

 

 

20,199

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

3,686

 

 

 

4,211

 

 

Other receivables

 

 

8,983

 

 

 

8,096

 

 

Total current assets

 

 

80,512

 

 

 

100,515

 

 

Equipment, at cost

 

 

752,128

 

 

 

769,967

 

 

Less accumulated depreciation

 

 

(393,179

)

 

 

(425,790

)

 

Equipment, net

 

 

358,949

 

 

 

344,177

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

154,656

 

 

 

150,069

 

 

Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $20,701
in 2005 and $25,635 in 2006

 

 

39,071

 

 

 

35,782

 

 

Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $8,492 in 2005 and $6,469 in 2006

 

 

8,236

 

 

 

6,947

 

 

Other assets

 

 

33,918

 

 

 

27,036

 

 

Total assets

 

 

$

675,342

 

 

 

$

664,526

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

 

$

23,672

 

 

 

$

14,525

 

 

Accrued compensation and related expenses

 

 

14,088

 

 

 

16,993

 

 

Accrued interest payable

 

 

4,561

 

 

 

4,320

 

 

Income taxes payable

 

 

87

 

 

 

637

 

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

 

29,064

 

 

 

32,331

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

7,781

 

 

 

2,858

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

79,253

 

 

 

71,664

 

 

Long-term debt, net of current portion

 

 

418,260

 

 

 

373,026

 

 

Senior subordinated notes

 

 

153,541

 

 

 

153,541

 

 

Minority interests and other liabilities

 

 

4,400

 

 

 

4,376

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

60,144

 

 

 

78,893

 

 

Total liabilities

 

 

715,598

 

 

 

681,500

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ deficit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued and outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued and outstanding - 49,572,206 at December 31, 2005 and 49,906,832 at December 31, 2006

 

 

496

 

 

 

499

 

 

Additional paid-in deficit

 

 

(11,876

)

 

 

(7,070

)

 

Accumulated comprehensive income

 

 

1,515

 

 

 

1,356

 

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(30,391

)

 

 

(11,759

)

 

Total stockholders’ deficit

 

 

(40,256

)

 

 

(16,974

)

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit

 

 

$

675,342

 

 

 

$

664,526

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

57




ALLIANCE IMAGING, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

 

 

 

(as restated,  see Note 17)

 

(as restated,  see Note 17)

 

(as restated,  see Note 17)

 

Revenues

 

$

432,080

 

$

430,788

 

$

455,775

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization

 

217,605

 

226,294

 

244,254

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

48,142

 

48,077

 

53,955

 

Employment agreement costs

 

2,064

 

366

 

 

Severance and related costs

 

1,223

 

826

 

745

 

Loss on early retirement of debt

 

44,393

 

 

 

Depreciation expense

 

80,488

 

82,505

 

83,397

 

Amortization expense

 

3,522

 

3,954

 

4,933

 

Interest expense, net of interest income of $215 in 2004, $608
in 2005 and $697 in 2006

 

44,502

 

34,203

 

41,078

 

Other (income) and expense, net

 

(484

)

(399

)

45

 

Total costs and expenses

 

441,455

 

395,826

 

428,407

 

(Loss) income before income taxes, minority interest expense and earnings from unconsolidated investees

 

(9,375

)

34,962

 

27,368

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

(6,955

)

14,758

 

12,032

 

Minority interest expense

 

2,373

 

1,718

 

2,075

 

Earnings from unconsolidated investees

 

(4,029

)

(3,343

)

(5,371

)

Net (loss) income

 

$

(764

)

$

21,829

 

$

18,632

 

Comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(764

)

$

21,829

 

$

18,632

 

Unrealized (loss) gain on hedging transactions, net of related tax effects of $830 in 2005 and $109 in 2006

 

 

1,515

 

(159

)

Comprehensive (loss) income

 

$

(764

)

$

23,344

 

$

18,473

 

(Loss) earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.02

)

$

0.44

 

$

0.37

 

Diluted

 

$

(0.02

)

$

0.43

 

$

0.37

 

Weighted average number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

48,350

 

49,378

 

49,780

 

Diluted

 

48,350

 

50,262

 

50,335

 

 

See accompanying notes.

58




ALLIANCE IMAGING, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2004

 

2005

 

2006

 

 

 

(as restated,
see Note 17)

 

(as restated,
see Note 17)

 

(as restated,
see Note 17)

 

Operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

 

$

(764

)

 

 

$

21,829

 

 

 

$

18,632

 

 

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

 

809

 

 

 

2,638

 

 

 

3,901

 

 

Non-cash share-based compensation

 

 

322

 

 

 

278

 

 

 

2,751

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

84,010

 

 

 

86,459

 

 

 

88,330

 

 

Amortization of deferred financing costs

 

 

3,039

 

 

 

2,203

 

 

 

1,597

 

 

Adjustment of swaps to fair value

 

 

463

 

 

 

(3,288

)

 

 

1,097

 

 

Loss on early retirement of debt

 

 

44,393

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions (less than) greater than equity in undistributed income of investee

 

 

(1,359

)

 

 

(478

)

 

 

728

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

921

 

 

 

14,122

 

 

 

9,755

 

 

Excess tax benefit from non-cash share-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(229

)

 

(Gain) loss on sale of assets

 

 

(483

)

 

 

(400

)

 

 

45

 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(5,679

)

 

 

3,062

 

 

 

(7,302

)

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

(364

)

 

 

(583

)

 

 

(525

)

 

Other receivables

 

 

(348

)

 

 

(5,586

)

 

 

887

 

 

Other assets

 

 

(1,056

)

 

 

(1,390

)

 

 

100

 

 

Accounts payable

 

 

4,525

 

 

 

1,716

 

 

 

(10,859

)

 

Accrued compensation and related expenses

 

 

5,829

 

 

 

(1,768

)

 

 

2,905

 

 

Accrued interest payable

 

 

(6,359

)

 

 

3,844

 

 

 

(241

)

 

Income taxes payable

 

 

(9,272

)

 

 

(778

)

 

 

550

 

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

 

2,117

 

 

 

4,983

 

 

 

3,828

 

 

Minority interests and other liabilities

 

 

154

 

 

 

211

 

 

 

(112

)

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

120,898

 

 

 

127,074

 

 

 

115,838

 

 

Investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equipment purchases

 

 

(85,676

)

 

 

(76,460

)

 

 

(75,007

)

 

Decrease (increase) in deposits on equipment

 

 

7,004

 

 

 

(9,652

)

 

 

4,955

 

 

Acquisitions, net of cash received

 

 

 

 

 

(50,207

)

 

 

 

 

Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures

 

 

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