Revenue Recognition. Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price or fee is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Under most of our distribution arrangements, we record revenue at the time shipment is completed as title passes to the customer when the product is received by the customer. For our direct to patient and home health agency sales, revenues are recorded based upon the estimated amounts due from patients and third-party payors. Third-party payors include federal and state agencies (under Medicare and Medicaid programs), managed care health plans and commercial insurance companies. Estimates of contractual allowances are based upon historical collection rates for the related payor agreements. The estimated reimbursement amounts are made on a payor-specific basis and are recorded based on the best information available regarding management’s interpretation of the applicable laws, regulations and reimbursement terms.
Revenue for activity-based fees and other services is recognized as work is performed and as amounts are earned. Depending on the specific contractual provisions and nature of the deliverable, revenue from services may be recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the service, on a proportional performance model, based on level of effort, or when final deliverables have been provided. Additionally, we generate fees from arrangements that include performance targets related to cost-saving initiatives for customers that result from our supply-chain management services. Achievement against performance targets, measured in accordance with contractual terms, may result in additional fees paid to us or, if performance targets are not achieved, we may be obligated to refund or reduce a portion of our fees or to provide credits toward future purchases by the customer. For these arrangements, all contingent revenue is deferred and recognized as the performance target is achieved and the applicable contingency is released. When we determine that a loss is probable under a contract, the estimated loss is accrued.
We allocate revenue for arrangements with multiple deliverables meeting the criteria for a separate unit of accounting using the relative selling price method and recognize revenue for each deliverable in accordance with applicable revenue recognition criteria.
In most cases, we record revenue gross, as we are the primary obligor in our sales arrangements, bear the risk of general and physical inventory loss and carry all credit risk associated with sales. When we act as an agent in a sales arrangement and do not bear a significant portion of these risks, primarily for our third-party logistics business, we record revenue net of product cost. Sales taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are excluded from revenues.
About Revenue Disclosures
Revenue disclosures under ASC 606 explain how a company identifies performance obligations, allocates transaction prices, and determines when revenue is recognized. This section is essential for understanding whether reported revenue reflects genuine economic activity or aggressive accounting choices. Analysts examine the mix of point-in-time versus over-time recognition, which directly affects revenue timing and comparability.
Key signals: rising contract liabilities (deferred revenue) suggest strong future revenue visibility, while declining contract assets may indicate slowing project milestones. Watch for variable consideration estimates — rebates, returns, and performance bonuses that require management judgment. Significant changes in disaggregated revenue by geography or product line can reveal shifting business mix before it appears in headline numbers. Compare revenue growth against contract liability growth to assess sustainability, and scrutinize any changes in the timing of recognition that coincide with earnings pressure.