A number of health systems experienced downgrades to their financial ratings in recent weeks amid ongoing operating losses, declines in investment values and challenging work environments.
Here is a summary of recent ratings since Becker's last roundup Nov. 15:
The following systems experienced downgrades:
Adventist Health (Roseville, Calif.): Saw a downgraded long-term credit rating on bonds it holds, declining from "A" (negative) to "A-" (stable) by S&P Global Ratings.
The December downgrade follows a 2021 downgrade from Fitch Ratings from "A+" to "A." That downgrade reflected "a series of one-time events and the lingering deleterious impact from the novel coronavirus" which "resulted in lower than anticipated operating EBITDA margins," Fitch said. In November, Fitch added to this assessment by downgrading Adventist's outlook from stable to negative, reflecting "continued negative operational pressure."
The group, which operates 23 hospitals in California, Hawaii and Oregon, was also assigned an "A" rating by Fitch to 2022 bonds and other outstanding debt.
Catholic Health (Buffalo, N.Y.): The group was downgraded on debt from "B1" to "Caa2" by Moody's and is in danger of defaulting on its covenants.
The nonprofit health system, which serves residents in Western New York with four acute care hospitals and several other facilities, saw its rating drop in November on approximately $364 million of debt.
Duke University Health System (Durham, N.C.): Downgraded to an "AA-" credit rating by Fitch Ratings.
The December downgrade comes amid concern over Duke's planned integration of the Private Diagnostic Clinic, a for-profit medical group with more than 1,800 physicians.
The rating, reduced from "AA," applies both to specific bonds the group holds and to its overall issuer default rating. In addition to the integration of the Private Diagnostic Clinic, Fitch also cited concern over macro issues such as labor and inflationary pressures, which have helped to drag down operating results for the health group.
Main Line Health (Radnor Township, Pa.): - Had its bond rating downgraded to "A1" from "Aa3" by Moody's.
The December downgrade reflects a multiyear trend of weak operating performance and expectations of tepid progress into 2023, Moody's said.
In addition to Main Line's revenue bond rating declining, its outlook has been revised to stable from negative at the lower rating. The hospital group has approximately $651 million in outstanding debt, Moody's said.
Prime Healthcare (Ontario, Calif.): The group was downgraded on probability of default rating to "B2-PD" from "B1-PD" as well as its ratings of the system's senior secured notes to "B3" from "B2" by Moody's.
Moody's also revised the outlook in November to negative from stable because it projects operating expenses will continue to pressure the 45-hospital system's profitability in the near term, presenting challenges for "the company's pace of deleveraging," according to a Nov. 18 news release.
Westchester County Health Care Corp. and Charity Health System (Valhalla, N.Y): The group was downgraded from "Baa2" to "Baa3" by Moody's.
The December downgrade for CHS is based on WCHCC's legal guarantee to pay debt service on CHS' Series 2015 bonds, if CHS is unable. The outlook for both systems remains negative with WCHCC and CHS having $773 million and $127 million of debt, respectively, at the end of fiscal year 2021, Moody's said.