14.    Leases

Chemed and each of its operating subsidiaries are service companies. As such, real estate leases comprise the largest lease obligation (and conversely, right of use asset) in our lease portfolio. VITAS has leased office space, as well as space for IPUs and/or contract beds within hospitals. Roto-Rooter has leased office space.

The components of balance sheet information related to leases were as follows:

December 31,

2025

2024

Assets

Operating lease assets

$

131,151 

$

127,323 

Liabilities

Current operating leases

40,892 

42,306 

Noncurrent operating leases

102,867 

98,538 

Total operating lease liabilities

$

143,759 

$

140,844 

The components of lease expense were as follows:

December 31,

2025

2024

2023

Lease Expense (a)

Operating lease expense

$

68,226 

$

64,228 

$

59,769 

Sublease income

(123)

(311)

(93)

Net lease expense

$

68,103 

$

63,917 

$

59,676 

(a)Includes short-term leases and variable lease costs, which are immaterial. Included in both cost of services provided and goods sold and selling, general and administrative expenses.


The components of cash flow information related to leases were as follows:

December 31,

2025

2024

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities

Operating cash flows from leases

$

55,598 

$

51,762 

Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities

$

52,669 

$

49,883 

Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term

Operating leases

4.82

yrs

Weighted Average Discount Rate

Operating leases

4.14

%

Maturity of Operating Lease Liabilities (in thousands)

2026

$

48,403 

2027

33,662 

2028

26,848 

2029

20,655 

2030

12,535 

Thereafter

17,832 

Total lease payments

$

159,935 

Less: interest

(16,176)

Total liability recognized on the balance sheet

$

143,759 

For leases commencing prior to 2019, minimum rental payments exclude payments to landlords for real estate taxes and common area maintenance. Operating lease payments include $8.4 million related to extended lease terms that are reasonably certain of being exercised and exclude $1.1 million of lease payments for leases signed but not yet commenced. 

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 27, 2026Showing above
2024Feb 28, 2025
2023Feb 29, 2024
2022Feb 27, 2023
2021Feb 28, 2022
2020Feb 26, 2021
2019Feb 26, 2020
2018Feb 27, 2019
2017Feb 26, 2018
2016Feb 27, 2017
2015Feb 26, 2016

About Leases Disclosures

Lease disclosures under ASC 842 provide a comprehensive view of a company's leased asset portfolio, including the split between operating and finance leases, discount rates used to present-value future payments, and the maturity schedule of lease obligations. This section reveals a significant source of off-balance-sheet commitments that were largely hidden before the current standard.

Key signals: the weighted-average discount rate affects the size of recorded lease liabilities — a higher rate reduces the reported obligation, so compare the chosen rate against the company's incremental borrowing rate. The operating versus finance lease mix affects both EBITDA and operating income presentation. Watch the maturity table for concentration risk: large payment cliffs in specific years may create cash flow pressure. Variable lease payments excluded from the liability measurement represent real obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet. Compare total lease costs against prior-year operating lease expense to assess the true economic burden.