Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
Overview
Results
of Operations
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Interest Rate and Equity Price Sensitivity
Year 2000
Certain
Factors That May Affect Future Operating Results or Our Stock
Price
This Annual
Report may contain forward-looking statements (see "Certain
Factors That May Affect Future Operating Results or Stock Prices")
within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements involve
a number of risks and uncertainties. We undertake no obligation
to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect
events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this
report. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the
various disclosures made in this report and in our other filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission that attempt to
advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may
affect our business.
OVERVIEW
We expect to generate a significant portion of our revenue from
the sale of membership programs which include health and disability
benefits. While product development has been ongoing for the
past several years, we began revenue-generating activities in
January 1999. Prior to that time, we were a development stage
enterprise, which designed and test marketed various benefit
combinations. To date, we have primarily focused on the distribution
of our membership programs to bank customers and building recognition
of our program brand. Christopher Reeve is featured prominently
in our online, television and print marketing campaigns to build
brand awareness. Our intent is to effect a substantial portion
of our program distributions over the Internet.
We
believe our consumer research and marketing efforts have given
us valuable insight into the consumer perceptions and preferences
regarding the value and limitations of prevailing insurance
products. Accordingly, we believe that our programs are well
positioned to address the needs of our targeted market segments.
As of December 31, 1999, more than 105,000 members had enrolled
in our programs.
Revenue
is generated by payments for program benefits. The primary determinant
of HealthExtras' revenue recognition is monthly program enrollment.
In general, revenue is recognized based on the number of members
enrolled in each reporting period multiplied by the applicable
monthly fee for their specific membership program. The revenue
recognized by HealthExtras includes the cost of the membership
benefits, which are supplied by others, including the insurance
components. Revenue from program payments received, and related
direct expenses, are deferred to the extent that they are applicable
to future periods or to any refund guarantee we offer for an
initial 90-day period. As of December 31, 1999, initial revenue
was deferred for approximately 40,000 program members. Direct
expenses consist principally of bank marketing and processing
fees and the cost of benefits provided to program members.
Direct
expenses are a function of the level of membership during the
period and the specific set of program features selected by
members. The coverage obligations of our benefit suppliers and
the related expense are determined monthly, as are the remaining
direct expenses. HealthExtras has historically maintained a
prepaid expense balance with respect to the insurance features
of its programs. Where amounts are prepaid, direct expense is
recognized based on the actual membership levels in each program.
These prepaid amounts were $879,300 and $731,800 at December
31, 1998 and December 31, 1999, respectively. The carrying value
of the prepayment is adjusted at the end of each quarter based
on factors including enrollment levels in each product, enrollment
trends, and the remaining portion of the unexpired prepayment
period. In the event that a period of coverage was purchased
in advance, and there were insufficient members to utilize the
coverage, the value would expire and be expensed by HealthExtras
without any related revenue. HealthExtras believes that current
enrollment levels will allow the balance at December 31, 1999
to be fully utilized prior to expiration.
We
have entered into three-year employment agreements with five
of our officers. The annual base salaries under these arrangements
range from $120,000 to $210,000, and one executive will be entitled
to a bonus equal to one percent of our after-tax profits. Our
minimum aggregate payments under these employment agreements
are expected to be $837,000 annually.
Our
limited history makes it difficult to evaluate our business
and prospects. We have incurred substantial operating losses
since our inception, and we intend to incur significant marketing
and brand development expenses over the next several years.
We anticipate that our operating losses will continue in the
near term. There can be no assurance that we will generate significant
revenues or profitability in the future.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999 COMPARED
TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
HealthExtras
incurred an operating loss of $11.5 million for the year ended
December 31, 1999. Revenue of $5.3 million consisted of annual
program member payments earned during the period. Cash collections
for program subscriptions through December 31, 1999 totaled
$10.5 million. There was no revenue in 1998. Operating expenses
for the year ended December 31, 1999 totaled $16.4 million.
Direct expenses of $3.1 million consisted of the cost of obtaining
the benefits included in our programs, and marketing and other
fees payable to our distribution partners. These direct expenses
represented 19% of operating expenses for that period. For the
year ended December 31, 1999, HealthExtras incurred $10.3 million
in product development and marketing expenses, or 63% of total
operating expenses, $4.3 million of which was incurred for the
continuing creative development of promotional and sales materials,
including television and print advertisements, and $1.1 million
of which was product endorsement costs. Media production expenses
totaled $5.1 million for print and Internet advertisement production
and distribution. Market research expenses were $380,000. General
and administrative expenses for that period totaled $3.0 million
or 18% of total operating expenses. These expenses included
$1.7 million in compensation and benefits and $205,000 in professional
services. Total operating expenses for the twelve months ended
December 31, 1998 were $6.5 million. In 1998, total product
development and marketing expenses were $4.9 million, representing
75% of total operating expenses. These expenses included $2.4
million for media development, consisting of $1.0 million in
product endorsement costs, $631,000 in business partner marketing
materials, $133,000 in test-marketing costs and approximately
$650,000 in pre-production creative costs. Production-related
expenses in 1998 totaled $1.1 million, of which $765,000 was
in print advertisements and fulfillment materials and $330,000
was for the production of television and radio promotions. Also
in 1998, $626,000 was devoted to market research and product
development consulting. Additional costs of $237,000 of compensation
expense, $324,000 in travel expense, and $220,000 of other costs
were incurred as product development and marketing expenses.
General and administrative expenses for the same period totaled
$1.6 million, approximately 25% of total operating costs, and
included approximately $630,000 in compensation and $224,000
in professional and consulting fees.
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER
31, 1997
Total operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 1998
were $6.5 million compared to $4.7 million for 1997. This difference
was largely attributable to a $1.6 million increase in product
development and marketing expenses, reflecting the implementation
of marketing agreements, initial focus groups and product evaluation.
In 1997, product development and marketing expenses included
$674,000 for media development and $976,000 in market research
and product development consulting. Other costs for 1997 totaled
approximately $1,730,000, of which $513,000 was in compensation
expense, $555,000 was in travel expenses and approximately $660,000
was in other product and media development costs. In 1998, product
development and marketing expenses included $2.4 million for
media development, consisting of $1.0 million in product endorsement
costs, $631,000 in business partner marketing materials, $133,000
in test-marketing costs and approximately $650,000 in pre-production
creative costs. Production-related expenses in 1998 totaled
$1.1 million, of which $765,000 was in print advertisements
and fulfillment materials and $330,000 was for the production
of television and radio promotions. Also in 1998, $626,000 was
devoted to market research and product development consulting.
Additional costs of $237,000 of compensation expense, $324,000
in travel expense, and $220,000 of other costs were incurred
as product development and marketing expenses. General and administrative
expenses were largely unchanged from year to year. In 1997,
these expenses included approximately $330,000 in compensation
and $541,000 in professional and consulting fees. In 1998, these
expenses included approximately $630,000 in compensation and
$224,000 in professional and consulting fees. Net other income
decreased from $589,000 for the year ended December 31, 1997
to a net expense of $100 for the year ended December 31, 1998.
This decrease reflected a reduction in realized securities trading
gains. Interest expense decreased from a net expense of $555,000
for the year ended December 31, 1997 to $110,000 for the year
ended December 31, 1998, as more liquid assets were invested
in interest-bearing instruments.
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our operations since inception were funded primarily through
capital investments, advances from the Chairman of the Board
of the Company and borrowings under a line of credit. In December
1999, we completed the sale to the public of 5,500,000 shares
of the Company's common stock and received proceeds (net of
underwriting commissions and expenses of $5.6 million) of approximately
$54.9 million. As of December 31, 1999, we had $47.0 million
in cash and cash equivalents, $45.2 in working capital and no
debt.
The primary commitment of our capital resources is to fund expenditures
relating to marketing and brand development we intend to incur
over the next several years and to fund the operating losses
we anticipate in the near term.
We currently anticipate our available cash resources will be
sufficient to meet our presently anticipated working capital,
capital expenditures and business expansion requirements for
approximately the next 24 months. There can be no assurance
that we will not require additional capital prior to the expiration
of that 24-month period. Even if such funds are not required,
we may seek additional equity or debt financing. We cannot assure
you that such financing will be available on acceptable terms,
if at all, or that such financing will not be dilutive to our
stockholders.
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RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement on Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting
for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." We will
be required to adopt SFAS No. 133 for the quarter ending March
31, 2001. Because we do not currently hold any derivative financial
instruments and do not expect to engage in hedging activities,
adoption of SFAS No. 133 is expected to have no material impact
on our financial condition or results of operations. In March
1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
issued Statement of Position 98-1, "Software for Internal Use,"
which provides guidance on accounting for the cost of computer
software developed or obtained for internal use. We have adopted
this statement of position for the year ended December 31, 1999.
The adoption did not have a material impact on our financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 1999.
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INTEREST RATE AND EQUITY PRICE SENSITIVITY
We are subject to interest rate risk on our short-term investments
and equity price risk in our marketable securities. We have
determined that a 10% move in the current weighted average interest
rate of our short-term investments and/or a 10% move in the
weighted average market price of our marketable securities would
not have a material effect in our financial position, results
of operations and cash flows in the next year.
YEAR 2000
To date, we have not experienced any significant adverse effect
related to the Year 2000 issue. Due to our recent founding,
we developed our systems and technology in light of the Year
2000 problem, as opposed to many older systems designed before
this problem was known. On June 15, 1999, we completed our review
and testing of Year 2000 compliance for all of our internally
developed software, which include substantially all of the systems
for the operation of our website, customer interaction and transaction
systems and our security, monitoring and back-up capabilities.
On May 31, 1999, we completed our assessment of the Year 2000
readiness of our third party supplied software and hardware,
and of our vendors. During the assessment phase, we identified
those vendors critical to us, and received certifications of
Year 2000 compliance or a readiness disclosure statement from
them. Testing was completed in the fourth quarter of 1999. While
we have not experienced any significant adverse effects to date,
there can be no assurance that currently unidentified Year 2000
issues, if any, will not arise and that these issues will not
have a material adverse effect on us.
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CERTAIN FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE OPERATING RESULTS OR
STOCK PRICES
FACTORS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS
Because we have a limited operating history, our business
prospects are subject to a great deal of uncertainty.
While
our product development efforts have been ongoing for the past
two years, we only began revenue-generating activities in January
1999. This limited history of operating our business means that
our business prospects are subject to a great deal of uncertainty
and risks.
We
have not been profitable and may not become profitable in the
future.
We have incurred operating losses since our inception. Because
we plan to continue to significantly increase our operating
expenses in an attempt to increase our member base, we will
need to generate significantly higher revenues to achieve profitability.
Even if we achieve profitability, we may not be able to maintain
profitability in the future. In addition, as our business model
evolves, we expect to introduce a number of new products and
services that may or may not be profitable for us.
Our future profitability is dependent, to a significant extent,
upon increased consumer demand for additional products, which
we are in the process of developing or may develop in the future.
Most of our revenue currently is derived from members purchasing
membership programs which include disability benefits. We believe
our future profitability is dependent upon achieving substantial
increases in sales of our programs, including those providing
excess health insurance coverage and other benefits we are developing
or may develop in the future. To the extent these products include
insurance features, they generally will require regulatory approvals.
If we do not achieve these increased sales, we may never achieve
profitability.
If
the sale of our membership programs over the Internet does not
achieve widespread consumer acceptance, we may never achieve
profitability.
To date, we primarily have promoted our membership programs
through mailings to credit card or other customers of banks.
However, we intend to significantly increase the distribution
of our programs over the Internet. Thus, our future profitability
is dependent in large part on our ability to achieve widespread
consumer acceptance of purchasing our programs over the Internet.
The development of an online market for programs, such as those
we offer, has only recently begun, is rapidly evolving and likely
will be characterized by an increasing number of market entrants.
Therefore, there is significant uncertainty with respect to
the viability and growth potential of this market.
There
can be no assurance that an online market for our programs will
develop or that consumers will significantly increase their
use of the Internet for obtaining the types of products and
services included in the programs that we sell. If an online
market for these products fails to develop, or develops more
slowly than we expect, or if our programs do not achieve widespread
market acceptance, the prospects for our achieving profitable
operations will be significantly reduced.
If
we lose one or more of our marketing relationships, our access
to potential customers would decline and sales and revenues
would suffer.
A
substantial majority of all of our programs sold to date have
been through mailings sent by banks to their credit card and
other customers.If
we lose one or more of our marketing relationships with credit
card issuers and are unable to replace those relationships with
other marketing outlets, our access to potential customers would
decline and sales and revenues would suffer.
If
we are not able to achieve a high level of brand recognition
and consumer demand for our programs, we will not achieve the
level of revenues we need to be profitable
There
are a growing number of websites that offer consumers access
to information regarding insurance coverage alternatives and
product pricing. Our programs may be considered to compete with
these and other distribution channels for insurance products.
We believe that broader recognition of the HealthExtras brand
and increased consumer demand for our programs are essential
to our future success. To attempt to achieve that recognition
and demand, we intend to continue to pursue an aggressive brand-enhancement
strategy consisting of our traditional print advertising, as
well as national radio and television advertising, online marketing
and promotional efforts. This effort will require significantly
greater expenditures than we have been able to make to date.
If these expenditures do not result in a sufficient increase
in revenues, we will not achieve profitability.
The
loss of our relationship with Christopher Reeve to promote our
programs could significantly impair our brand recognition and,
thus, our ability to sell our programs.
Our
agreement for Christopher Reeve to promote our programs currently
expires in July 2002. The loss of the Christopher Reeve identification
with our programs, upon termination of our contract or otherwise,
could significantly reduce our ability to sell our programs.
If
we lose our relationships with our benefit providers, we could
have difficulty meeting demand for the products and services
included in the programs we sell.
We
are dependent on the providers of benefits included in our programs.
These benefits are provided pursuant to arrangements with Reliance
National, Chubb & Son and others that may be terminated on relatively
short notice.If
we lose these relationships and are unable to replace them quickly
and cost effectively, we would not be able to satisfy consumer
demand for our programs.
We
may experience significant fluctuations in our quarterly results
of operations which will make it difficult for investors to
make reliable period-to-period comparisons and may contribute
to volatility in our stock price.
Our
quarterly expenses have fluctuated significantly in the past,
and we expect our quarterly revenues and expenses to continue
to fluctuate significantly in the future. The causes for fluctuations
could include, among other factors:
State
insurance laws and regulations are complex and broad in scope
and are subject to periodic modification as well as differing
interpretations. There can be no assurance that insurance regulatory
authorities in one or more states will not determine that the
nature of our business requires us to be licensed under applicable
insurance laws. A determination to that effect or that we or
our business partners are not in compliance with applicable
regulations could result in fines, additional licensing requirements
or inability to market our programs in particular jurisdictions.
Such penalties could significantly increase our general operating
expenses and harm our business. In addition, even if the allegations
in any regulatory or legal action against us turn out to be
false, negative publicity relating to any such allegation could
result in a loss of consumer confidence and significant damage
to our brand. We believe that because many consumers and insurance
companies are not yet comfortable with the concept of purchasing
insurance online, the publicity relating to any such regulatory
or legal issues could significantly reduce sales of our programs.
Regulation
of the sale of insurance over the Internet and of electronic
commerce generally is unsettled, and future laws, regulations
and interpretations could hinder our ability to offer programs
over the Internet.
The
distribution of our programs including an insurance component
over the Internet subjects us to additional risk as most insurance
laws and regulations have not been modified to clarify or amend
their application to Internet transactions. Currently, many
state insurance regulators and legislators are exploring the
need for specific regulation of insurance sales over the Internet.
Such regulation could dampen the growth of the Internet as a
means of providing insurance services. Moreover, the application
of laws governing general commerce on the Internet remains largely
unsettled, even in areas where there has been some legislative
action. It may take years to determine whether and how existing
laws such as those governing insurance, intellectual property,
privacy and taxation apply to the Internet. In addition, the
growth and development of the market for electronic commerce
may prompt calls for more stringent consumer protection laws
and regulations that may impose additional burdens on companies
conducting business over the Internet. Any new laws or regulations
or new interpretations of existing laws or regulations relating
to the Internet could hinder our ability to offer programs over
the Internet.
We
could be subject to legal liability based upon the information
on our website.
Our
members may rely upon the information published on our website
regarding insurance coverage, exclusions, limitations and ratings,
and the other benefits included in our programs. To the extent
that the information we provide is not accurate, we could be
liable for damages. These types of claims could be time-consuming
and expensive to defend, divert management's attention, and
could cause consumers to lose confidence in our service. As
a result, these types of claims, whether or not successful,
could harm our business.
FACTORS
RELATED TO THE INTERNET AND ELECTRONIC COMMERCE
If
we experience failures of, or capacity constraints in, our systems
or the systems of third parties on which we rely, sales of our
programs likely would be reduced and our reputation could be
damaged.
We
use both internally developed and third party systems to operate
the Internet aspects of our business. If the number of users
of our service increases substantially, we will need to significantly
expand and upgrade our technology, transaction processing systems
and network infrastructure. We do not know whether we will be
able to accurately project the rate or timing of any increases,
or expand and upgrade our systems and infrastructure to accommodate
any increases in a timely manner. Our ability to facilitate
transactions successfully and provide high quality customer
service also depends on the efficient and uninterrupted operation
of our computer and communications hardware systems. Our service
has experienced periodic system interruptions, and it is likely
that these interruptions will continue to occur from time to
time. Additionally, our systems and operations are vulnerable
to damage or interruption from human error, natural disasters,
power loss, telecommunication failures, break-ins, sabotage,
computer viruses, acts of vandalism and similar events. We may
not carry sufficient business interruption insurance to compensate
for losses that could occur. Any system failure that causes
an interruption in service or decreases the responsiveness of
our service would impair our revenue-generating capabilities,
and could damage our reputation and our brand name.
If
we are unable to safeguard the security and privacy of our program
members' information, our reputation would be damaged and we
could be subject to litigation and liability.
A
significant barrier to electronic commerce and online communications
has been the need for secure transmission of confidential information
over the Internet. Our ability to secure the transmission of
confidential information over the Internet is essential in maintaining
consumer confidence in our service. In addition, because we
handle confidential and sensitive information about our program
members, any security breaches would damage our reputation and
could expose us to litigation and liability. We cannot guarantee
that our systems will prevent security breaches.