OMEGA HEALTHCARE INVESTORS INC

Previous wording

Our operators depend on reimbursement from governmental and other third-party payors, and reimbursement rates from such payors may be reduced or modified, including through reductions to the Medicare and Medicaid programs for U.S. operators.

Current wording

Our operators depend on reimbursement from governmental and other third-party payors, and reimbursement rates from such payors may be reduced, modified or delayed, including through reductions to the Medicare and Medicaid programs for U.S. operators.

Previous wording

Changes in the reimbursement rate or methods of payment from governmental and other third-party payors, including the Medicare and Medicaid programs for U.S. operators, or the implementation of other measures to reduce reimbursements for services provided by our operators has in the past, and could in the future, result in a substantial reduction in our operators’ revenues and operating margins. Reimbursement from governmental and other third-party payors could be reduced as part of spending cuts and tax reform initiatives that impact Medicare, Medicaid or Medicare Advantage Plans, or as part of retroactive adjustments during claims settlement processes or as a result of post-payment audits. Further, alternative payment models, as well as other regulatory initiatives, have the potential to affect Medicare payments to SNFs, including, but not limited to, provisions changing the payment methodology, setting reimbursement caps, implementing value-based purchasing and payment bundling, and studying the appropriateness of restrictions on payments for healthcare acquired conditions. In some cases, states have enacted or are considering enacting measures designed to reduce Medicaid expenditures or freeze Medicaid rates, to allocate funding available for reimbursement away from SNFs in favor of home health agencies and community-based care, and to make changes to private healthcare insurance. Several commercial payors have expressed an intent to pursue certain value-based purchasing models and initiatives. Since our operators’ profit margins on Medicaid patients are generally relatively low, more than modest reductions in Medicaid reimbursement to our SNF operators and an increase in the number of Medicaid patients could place some operators in financial distress, which in turn could adversely affect us. If funding for Medicare and/or Medicaid is reduced, it could have a material adverse effect on our operators’ results of operations and financial condition, which could adversely affect our operators’ ability to meet their obligations to us. Significant limits on the scope of services reimbursed and on reimbursement rates, as well as changes in reimbursement policies or other measures altering payment methodologies for services provided by our operators, could have a material adverse effect on our operators’ results of operations and financial condition, which could cause the revenues of our operators to decline and negatively impact their ability to meet their obligations to us.

Current wording

Changes in the reimbursement rate or methods of payment from governmental and other third-party payors, including the Medicare and Medicaid programs for U.S. operators, or the implementation of other measures to reduce reimbursements for services provided by our operators has in the past, and could in the future, result in a substantial reduction in our operators’ revenues and operating margins. Reimbursement from governmental and other third-party payors could be reduced or delayed as part of spending cuts and tax reform and governmental efficiency initiatives that impact Medicare, Medicaid or Medicare Advantage Plans, or as part of retroactive adjustments during claims settlement processes or as a result of post-payment audits. Further, alternative payment models, as well as other regulatory initiatives, have the potential to affect Medicare payments to SNFs, including, but not limited to, provisions changing the payment methodology, setting reimbursement caps, implementing value-based purchasing and payment bundling, and studying the appropriateness of restrictions on payments for healthcare acquired conditions. Any of these changes may be more pronounced following governmental leadership changes, particularly following a change in presidential administrations. In some cases, states have enacted or are considering enacting measures designed to reduce Medicaid expenditures or freeze Medicaid rates, to allocate funding available for reimbursement away from SNFs in favor of home health agencies and community-based care, and to make changes to private healthcare insurance. Several commercial payors have expressed an intent to pursue certain value-based purchasing models and initiatives. Since our operators’ profit margins on Medicaid patients are generally relatively low, more than modest reductions or delays in Medicaid reimbursement to our SNF operators and an increase in the number of Medicaid patients could place some operators in financial distress, which in turn could adversely affect us. If funding for Medicare and/or Medicaid is reduced, it could have a material adverse effect on our operators’ results of operations and financial condition, which could adversely affect our operators’ ability to meet their obligations to us. Significant limits on the scope of services reimbursed and on reimbursement rates, as well as changes in reimbursement policies or other measures altering payment methodologies or delaying reimbursements for services provided by our operators, could have a material adverse effect on our operators’ results of operations and financial condition, which could cause the revenues of our operators to decline and negatively impact their ability to meet their obligations to us.

Previous wording

Our operators may be subject to claims for damages relating to the services that they provide. While we are unable to predict the scope of future federal, state and local regulations and legislation, including the Medicare and Medicaid statutes and regulations, we believe that long-term care providers will continue to be the focus of governmental investigations, particularly in the area of Medicare/Medicaid false claims and in the use of COVID-19 related funds and compliance with infection control and quality standards. We can give no assurance that the insurance coverage maintained by our operators will cover all claims made against them or continue to be available at a reasonable cost, if at all. In some states, insurance coverage for the risk of punitive damages arising from professional and general liability claims and/or litigation may not, in certain cases, be available to operators due to state law prohibitions or limitations of availability. As a result, our operators operating in these states may be liable for punitive damage awards that are either not covered or are in excess of their insurance policy limits.

Current wording

Our operators may be subject to claims for damages relating to the services that they provide. While we are unable to predict the scope of future federal, state and local regulations and legislation, including the Medicare and Medicaid statutes and regulations, we believe that long-term care providers will continue to be the focus of governmental investigations, particularly in the area of Medicare/Medicaid false claims and in the use of COVID-19 related funds, including the Employee Retention Credit, and compliance with infection control and quality standards. We can give no assurance that the insurance coverage maintained by our operators will cover all claims made against them or continue to be available at a reasonable cost, if at all. In some states, insurance coverage for the risk of punitive damages arising from professional and general liability claims and/or litigation may not, in certain cases, be available to operators due to state law prohibitions or limitations of availability. As a result, our operators operating in these states may be liable for punitive damage awards that are either not covered or are in excess of their insurance policy limits.

Previous wording

In addition, the market for qualified personnel is highly competitive. Our operators have experienced and may continue to experience difficulties in attracting and retaining such personnel, in particular due to labor constraints and, in some cases, wage increases, which have been elevated since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and may remain elevated. Increases in labor costs could affect our operators’ ability to meet their obligations to us, which could be particularly acute in certain states that have established minimum staffing requirements and as a result of the proposed federal minimum staffing requirements in the U.S.

Current wording

In addition, the market for qualified personnel is highly competitive. Our operators have experienced and may continue to experience difficulties in attracting and retaining such personnel, in particular due to labor constraints and, in some cases, wage increases, which have been elevated since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and may remain elevated. These labor constraints may also be adversely impacted by immigration restrictions and changes to immigration enforcement policy to the extent they impact our operators’ workforces and by minimum staffing requirements that have been established in certain states and proposed at the federal level. Increases in labor costs could affect our operators’ ability to meet their obligations to us.

Previous wording

Inflation, both real or anticipated, as well as any responsive governmental policies, has and may continue to adversely affect the economy and the costs of labor, goods and services to our operators or borrowers. Our long-term leases and loans typically contain provisions such as rent and interest escalators that are designed to mitigate the adverse impact of inflation on our results of operations. However, these provisions may have limited effectiveness at mitigating the risk of high levels of inflation due to contractual limits on escalation that exist in substantially all of our escalation provisions. Our leases are triple-net and typically require the operator to pay all property operating expenses, and therefore, increases in property-level expenses at our leased properties generally do not directly affect us. However, increased operating costs resulting from inflation have had, and may continue to have, an adverse impact on our operators and borrowers if increases in their operating expenses exceed increases in their reimbursements, which has and may continue to adversely affect our operators’ or borrowers’ ability to pay rent or other obligations owed to us.

Current wording

Inflation, both real or anticipated, as well as any responsive governmental policies, has and may continue to adversely affect the economy and the costs of labor, goods and services to our operators or borrowers. Inflation may also be adversely impacted by the imposition of additional tariffs by the U.S. federal government, which have been proposed and the impacts of which remain uncertain. Our long-term leases and loans typically contain provisions such as rent and interest escalators that are designed to mitigate the adverse impact of inflation on our results of operations. However, these provisions may have limited effectiveness at mitigating the risk of high levels of inflation due to contractual limits on escalation that exist in substantially all of our escalation provisions. Our leases are triple-net and typically require the operator to pay all property operating expenses, and therefore, increases in property-level expenses at our leased properties generally do not directly affect us. However, increased operating costs resulting from inflation have had, and may continue to have, an adverse impact on our operators and borrowers if increases in their operating expenses exceed increases in their reimbursements, which has and may continue to adversely affect our operators’ or borrowers’ ability to pay rent or other obligations owed to us.

Previous wording

Our business and operations were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are exposed to continuing risks from COVID-19, severe respiratory disease seasons or the occurrence of other epidemics or other widespread illnesses. Our revenues and our operators’ revenues are dependent on occupancy, and the occupancy of our properties could significantly decrease in the event of a severe respiratory disease season, a resurgence of COVID-19 or other epidemics or widespread illnesses. Such a decrease would affect the operating income of our properties and the ability of our operators to make payments to us. As we experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, a future respiratory disease or other epidemic or pandemic could significantly increase the cost burdens faced by our operators, including if they are required to implement quarantines for residents, as well as cause a reduction in occupancy, each of which could adversely affect their ability to meet their obligations to us, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

Current wording

Our business and operations were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and are exposed to continuing risks from COVID-19, severe respiratory disease seasons or the occurrence of other epidemics, pandemics or other widespread illnesses. Our revenues and our operators’ revenues are dependent on occupancy, and the occupancy of our properties could significantly decrease in the event of a severe respiratory disease season, a resurgence of COVID-19 or other epidemics or widespread illnesses. Such a decrease would affect the operating income of our properties and the ability of our operators to make payments to us. As we experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, a future respiratory disease or other epidemic or pandemic could significantly increase the cost burdens faced by our operators, including if they are required to implement quarantines for residents, as well as cause a reduction in occupancy, each of which could adversely affect their ability to meet their obligations to us, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial results.

Previous wording

The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic or other future widespread illness on our and our operators’ operational and financial performance will depend on future developments, including the ability to control the spread of the outbreak generally and in our facilities, and the delivery and efficacy of and participation in vaccination programs and other treatments, government funds and other support for the senior care sector and the efficacy of other policies and measures that may mitigate the impact of the pandemic or illness.

Current wording

The effect of a pandemic or other future widespread illness on our and our operators’ operational and financial performance will depend on future developments, including the ability to control the spread of the outbreak generally and in our facilities, and the delivery and efficacy of and participation in vaccination programs and other treatments, government funds and other support for the senior care sector and the efficacy of other policies and measures that may mitigate the impact of the pandemic or illness.

Previous wording

Although Congress has not yet enacted comprehensive federal legislation to address climate change, numerous states and municipalities have adopted laws and policies on climate change and emission reduction targets. Changes in federal, state and local legislation and regulation based on concerns about climate change could result in increased capital expenditures on our existing properties and our new development properties (for example, to improve their energy efficiency and/or resistance to severe weather) without a corresponding increase in revenue, resulting in adverse impacts to our net income. There can be no assurance that climate change and severe weather will not have a material adverse effect on our properties, operations or business.

Current wording

Although Congress has not yet enacted comprehensive federal legislation to address climate change, numerous states and municipalities, as well as the U.K., have adopted laws and policies on climate change and emission reduction targets. Changes in legislation and regulation within the U.S. and U.K. based on concerns about climate change could result in increased capital expenditures on our existing properties and our new development properties (for example, to improve their energy efficiency and/or resistance to severe weather) without a corresponding increase in revenue, resulting in adverse impacts to our net income. There can be no assurance that climate change and severe weather will not have a material adverse effect on our properties, operations or business.

Previous wording

We have investments in the U.K. and may from time to time may seek to acquire other properties in the U.K. or otherwise outside the U.S. International development, investment, ownership and operating activities involve risks that are different from those we face with respect to our U.S. properties and operations. These risks include, but are not limited to, any international currency gain recognized with respect to changes in exchange rates may not qualify under the income tests that we must satisfy annually in order to qualify and maintain our status as a REIT; fluctuations in the exchange rates between USD and the British Pound Sterling (“GBP”), or other foreign currencies in which we may transact in the future, which we may be unable to protect against through hedging; changes in foreign political, regulatory, and economic conditions, including increases in energy prices, such as those experienced in the U.K. resulting in part from the conflict in Ukraine and sanctions imposed on Russia; challenges in managing international operations and enforcing obligations in other countries; challenges of complying with a variety of foreign laws and regulations, including those relating to real estate, healthcare operations, taxes, employment and legal proceedings; financial risks to our operators, including differences in expenses and government reimbursement practices, as well as funding challenges in the public sector; differences in lending practices and the willingness of domestic or foreign lenders to provide financing; regional or country-specific business cycles and economic instability; and changes in applicable laws and regulations in the U.S. that affect foreign operations. If we are unable to successfully manage the risks associated with international expansion and operations, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.

Current wording

We have investments in the U.K. and may from time to time may seek to acquire other properties in the U.K. or otherwise outside the U.S. International development, investment, ownership and operating activities involve risks that are different from those we face with respect to our U.S. properties and operations. These risks include, but are not limited to, any international currency gain recognized with respect to changes in exchange rates may not qualify under the income tests that we must satisfy annually in order to qualify and maintain our status as a REIT; fluctuations in the exchange rates between USD and the British Pound Sterling (“GBP”), or other foreign currencies in which we may transact in the future, which we may be unable to protect against through hedging; changes in foreign political, regulatory, and economic conditions, including increases in energy prices, such as those experienced in the U.K. resulting in part from the conflict in Ukraine and sanctions imposed on Russia; challenges in managing international operations and enforcing obligations in other countries; challenges of complying with a variety of foreign laws and regulations, including those relating to real estate, healthcare operations, environmental, climate impacts, taxes, employment and legal proceedings; financial risks to our operators, including differences in expenses and government reimbursement practices, as well as funding challenges in the public sector; differences in lending practices and the willingness of domestic or foreign lenders to provide financing; regional or country-specific business cycles and economic instability; and changes in applicable laws and regulations in the U.S. that affect foreign operations. If we are unable to successfully manage the risks associated with international expansion and operations, our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.

Previous wording

Our assets are generally not diversified by industry and face risks associated with the long-term care industry. In addition, at December 31, 2023, one operator represented greater than 10% of our investments, and the three states in which we had our highest concentration of investments were Texas (10.5%), Indiana (6.9%) and California (6.1%). In addition, our concentration of investments in the U.K. is 6.9%. As a result, we are subject to increased exposure to adverse conditions affecting these operators and regions, with regional risks including unfavorable Medicaid reimbursements rates for SNFs, downturns in the local economies, local real estate conditions, staffing challenges, increased competition or decreased demand for our facilities, regional climate events, and unfavorable legislative or regulatory developments, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Current wording

Our assets are generally not diversified by industry and face risks associated with the long-term care industry. In addition, at December 31, 2024, one operator represented greater than 10% of our investments, and the three states in which we had our highest concentration of investments were Texas (9.2%), Indiana (6.2%) and California (5.7%). In addition, our concentration of investments in the U.K. is 14.1%. As a result, we are subject to increased exposure to adverse conditions affecting these operators and regions, with regional risks including unfavorable Medicaid reimbursements rates for SNFs, downturns in the local economies, local real estate conditions, staffing challenges, increased competition or decreased demand for our facilities, regional climate events, and unfavorable legislative or regulatory developments, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Previous wording

Our investments in joint ventures could be adversely affected by shared decision-making authority, our joint venture partners’ financial condition, and our exposure to potential losses from the actions of our joint venture partners.

Current wording

Our investments in joint ventures or other equity investments could be adversely affected by shared decision-making authority, our counterparty’s financial condition, and our exposure to potential losses from the actions of our counterparties.

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2023, we have ownership interests in one consolidated joint venture and several unconsolidated joint ventures. These joint ventures involve additional risks, including the following:

Current wording

As of December 31, 2024, we have ownership interests in one consolidated joint venture and several unconsolidated joint ventures, and we manage other equity investments. These joint ventures and investments involve additional risks, including the following:

Previous wording

We rely on information technology in our operations, and any material failure, inadequacy, interruption or security failure of that technology could harm our business. Privacy and security laws and regulations may also increase costs for our business.

Current wording

We rely on information technology in our operations, and any material failure, inadequacy, interruption or security failure of that technology, including related to artificial intelligence, could harm our business. Privacy and security laws and regulations may also increase costs for our business.

Previous wording

We rely on information technology networks and systems, including the Internet, to process, transmit and store electronic information, and to manage or support a variety of business processes, including financial transactions and records, personal identifying information, tenant and lease data. In addition, we may, from time to time, make investments in unconsolidated entities that offer technology services to operators, which may involve storage of customer or resident data. We purchase some of our information technology from vendors, on whom our systems depend. We generally rely on third-party systems, software, tools and monitoring to provide security for processing, transmission and storage of confidential tenant and other customer information, such as individually identifiable information, including information relating to financial accounts. It is possible that our safety and security measures will not be able to prevent the systems’ improper functioning or the improper access or disclosure of personally identifiable information such as in the event of cyber-attacks. Security breaches, including physical or electronic break-ins, computer viruses, attacks by hackers and similar breaches, can create system disruptions, shutdowns or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. Any failure to maintain proper function, security and availability of our information systems, and the privacy of the data we store, or failure to comply with related regulations, could interrupt our operations, damage our reputation, subject us to liability claims or regulatory penalties and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The regulatory environment related to cyber and information security, data collection and privacy is increasingly rigorous, with new and constantly changing requirements applicable to our business or to which we may become subject, including certain U.S. state laws and E.U. data protection legislation, such as they General Data Protection Regulation, or the GDPR, and the U.K.’s Data Protection Act, which impose significant data protection requirements and penalties for noncompliance. Compliance with any of these requirements may result in additional costs and could impact how we conduct in business in new jurisdictions.

Current wording

We rely on information technology networks and systems, including the Internet and including services that may incorporate artificial intelligence technologies, to process, transmit and store electronic information, and to manage or support a variety of business processes, including financial transactions and records, personal identifying information, tenant and lease data. In addition, we may, from time to time, make investments in unconsolidated entities that offer technology services, some of which may rely on artificial intelligence technologies, to operators, which may involve storage of customer or resident data. We purchase some of our information technology from vendors, on whom our systems depend. We generally rely on third-party systems, software, tools and monitoring to provide security for processing, transmission and storage of confidential tenant and other customer information, such as individually identifiable information, including information relating to financial accounts. It is possible that our safety and security measures or other controls will not be able to prevent the systems’ improper functioning, the improper access or disclosure of personally identifiable information such as in the event of cyber-attacks, or other security or integrity challenges, including as a result of the rapid development and increased adoption of artificial intelligence technologies, which may also heighten our information technology security risks by making cyberattacks more difficult to detect, contain and mitigate. Security breaches, including physical or electronic break-ins, computer viruses, attacks by hackers and similar breaches, can create system disruptions, shutdowns or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. Any failure to maintain proper function, security and availability of our information systems, and the privacy of the data we store, or failure to comply with related regulations, could interrupt our operations, damage our reputation, subject us to liability claims or regulatory penalties and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The regulatory environment related to cyber and information security, artificial intelligence, data collection and privacy is increasingly rigorous, with new and constantly changing requirements applicable to our business or to which we may become subject, including certain U.S. state laws and E.U. data protection legislation, such as they General Data Protection Regulation, or the GDPR, and the U.K.’s Data Protection Act, which impose significant data protection requirements and penalties for noncompliance. Compliance with any of these requirements may result in additional costs and could impact how we conduct in business in new jurisdictions.