Fair values of financial instruments
The Company measures the fair value of certain assets, liabilities, and noncontrolling interests subject to put provisions (redeemable equity interests classified as temporary equity) based upon certain valuation techniques that include observable or unobservable inputs and assumptions that market participants would use in pricing these assets, liabilities, temporary equity and commitments. The Company has also classified assets, liabilities and temporary equity that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis into the appropriate fair value hierarchy levels as defined by the FASB.
The following table summarizes the Company’s assets, liabilities and temporary equity measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2025 and 2024:
December 31, 2025TotalQuoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
Significant other
observable inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
Assets    
Investments in equity securities$40,949 $40,949 
Interest rate cap agreements$11,593 $11,593 
Liabilities
Contingent earn-out obligations for acquisitions$9,495 $9,495 
Temporary equity
Noncontrolling interests subject to put provisions$1,532,166 $1,532,166 
December 31, 2024
Assets
Investments in equity securities$40,566 $40,566 
Interest rate cap agreements$30,062 $30,062 
Liabilities
Contingent earn-out obligations for acquisitions$13,542 $13,542 
Temporary equity
Noncontrolling interests subject to put provisions$1,695,483 $1,695,483 
Investments in equity securities represent investments in various open-ended registered investment companies (mutual funds) and common stocks and are recorded at fair value estimated based on reported market prices or redemption prices, as applicable. See Note 4 for further discussion.
Interest rate cap agreements are recorded at fair value estimated from valuation models utilizing the income approach and commonly accepted valuation techniques that use inputs from closing prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets as well as other relevant observable market inputs at quoted intervals such as current interest rates, forward yield curves, implied volatility and credit default swap pricing. The Company does not believe the ultimate amount that could be realized upon settlement of these interest rate cap agreements would be materially different from the fair value estimates currently reported. See Note 12 for further discussion.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company had contingent earn-out obligations associated with business acquisitions that could result in the Company paying the former owners a total of up to approximately $19,966 if certain performance targets or quality margins are met over the next one year to five years. The estimated fair value measurements of these contingent earn-out obligations are primarily based on unobservable inputs, including projected earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), revenue and key performance indicators. The estimated fair value of these contingent earn-out obligations is remeasured as of each reporting date and could fluctuate based upon any significant changes in key assumptions, such as changes in the Company credit risk adjusted rate that is used to discount obligations to present value.
The estimated fair value of noncontrolling interests subject to put provisions is based principally on the higher of either estimated liquidation value of net assets or a multiple of earnings for each subject dialysis partnership, based on historical earnings, revenue mix, and other performance indicators that can affect future results. The multiples used for these valuations are derived from observed ownership transactions for dialysis businesses between unrelated parties in the U.S. in recent years, and the specific valuation multiple applied to each dialysis partnership is principally determined by its recent and expected revenue mix and contribution margin. As of December 31, 2025, an increase or decrease in the weighted average multiple used in these valuations of one times EBITDA would change the estimated fair value of these noncontrolling interests by approximately $220,000. See Note 16 for a discussion of the Company’s methodology for estimating the fair values of noncontrolling interests subject to put obligations and the reconciliation of changes on the consolidated statements of equity.
The Company's fair value estimates for its senior secured credit facilities are based upon quoted bid and ask prices for these instruments, a level 2 input. For the Company's senior notes, fair value estimates are based on level 1 market inputs. See Note 12 for further discussion of the Company's debt.
Other financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, other accrued liabilities, lease liabilities and debt. The balances of financial instruments other than debt and lease liabilities are presented in the consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2025 and 2024 at their approximate fair values due to the short-term nature of their settlements.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 11, 2026Showing above
2024Feb 13, 2025
2023Feb 14, 2024
2022Feb 22, 2023
2021Feb 11, 2022
2020Feb 12, 2021
2019Feb 21, 2020
2018Feb 22, 2019
2017Feb 23, 2018
2016Feb 24, 2017
2015Feb 26, 2016

About Fair Value Disclosures

Fair value disclosures classify all assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a three-level hierarchy: Level 1 (quoted market prices), Level 2 (observable inputs like yield curves), and Level 3 (unobservable inputs requiring management estimates). The proportion of Level 3 assets directly reflects how much of the balance sheet depends on internal models rather than market evidence.

Key signals: a growing Level 3 balance relative to total fair-value assets increases valuation uncertainty and earnings volatility risk. Watch for transfers between levels — assets moving from Level 2 to Level 3 often signal deteriorating market liquidity. Unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 positions flow through earnings or other comprehensive income, so large swings deserve scrutiny. For financial institutions, examine the sensitivity disclosures that show how Level 3 valuations change under alternative assumptions. Compare the fair value of debt against its carrying amount to gauge hidden leverage.