STAMFORD, Conn., March 15, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Independence Holding Company (NYSE: IHC) today reported 2020 fourth-quarter and annual results.

Financial Results

Net income attributable to IHC was $5,494,000, or $.37 per share, diluted, for the three months ended December 31, 2020 compared to a net loss of $(9,320,000), or $(.63) per share, diluted, for the three months ended December 31, 2019. Net income attributable to IHC was $18,881,000 or $1.28 per share, diluted, for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $12,396,000 or $.83 per share, diluted, for the year ended December 31, 2019.

The Company reported revenues of $119,342,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2020 compared to revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2019 of $89,979,000. The Company reported revenues of $443,864,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019 of $374,448,000. The increase in revenues primarily relates to an increase for the Paid Family Leave (“PFL”) portion of our New York disability law (“DBL”) business, higher premium volume in our pet insurance business and an increase in sales of insurance products (primarily senior products, Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) plans and small group stop-loss) by the IHC agencies for multiple unaffiliated insurance carriers.

There were certain charges in the fourth quarters of both 2020 and 2019, which were a combination of one-time, unusual and/or non-cash items. Income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 include increases of $4,492,000 and $6,300,000 respectively, in AMIC Holdings, Inc.’s (“AMIC”) valuation allowance due to the reduction of estimated tax benefits from the expected utilization of AMIC’s net operating loss carryforwards that either expired in 2020 or will expire in 2021. A decrease in expectations in earnings and profits (as a result of significant expenses in establishing the senior and pet divisions and the challenge in sales during open enrollment in the fourth quarter) also necessitated an increase in the valuation allowance and, in turn, a reduction in AMIC’s net operating loss carryforwards that are available to offset income for the remaining period. In addition, the Company recorded the impairment, equity loss, and write-off of our minority interest in a third party administrator (“TPA”) of $4,842,000, net of tax, in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Chief Executive Officer’s Comments

Roy T. K. Thung, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are pleased with the increases in net income and revenues for the 2020 fourth quarter and full year, and believe that IHC’s prospects for 2021 are excellent, particularly in the pet insurance market and sales of Medicare and ACA products. We have invested in and will continue to deploy significant resources to (i) increase sales of pet insurance with our exclusive relationship with The American Kennel Club (“AKC”) and enhance our pet administration infrastructure, (ii) expand our call centers by hiring and training experienced agents to serve seniors and USAA members, (iii) continue to enhance our agent and consumer platforms for both IHC and non-affiliated carrier products, and launch our Enhanced Direct Enrollment Platform (“EDE”), (iv) adapt to changes in health insurance by selling more ACA and Independence American Insurance Company (“IAIC”) ancillary health policies during the expanded Open Enrollment Period, and (v) quickly and compliantly bringing new products to market as new opportunities arise. We also expect the continuation of very good results from the DBL/PFL line of business and from Madison National Life’s group division.

Specialty Health Segment. During the past two years, we have successfully invested both our capital and efforts in improving the overall infrastructure, lead generation capabilities, sales automation platforms, and presence in the Direct-to-Consumer (“D2C”) space. These efforts have paid off, especially as they relate to pet insurance and senior market sales. Our pet division underwrote an aggregate of $112 million of annualized written premium (approximately 200,000 dogs and cats) as of December 31, 2020, and we are projecting continued significant growth in 2021 and beyond. Pet insurance is one of the fastest growing types of coverage, yet there remains tremendous growth potential as less than 2% of pets are insured in the United States, compared to 25% or more in many European countries. AKC registrations, pet adoptions and sales of all pet related businesses grew exponentially in 2020. PetPartners’ exclusive relationship with the AKC generates a very material number of new leads each month, and one of our most important initiatives for 2021 is to increase the percentage of newly registered dogs that become insured. To this end, we have executed a multi-year marketing arrangement with AKC whereby we will be given very prominent (and in many cases category exclusive) positioning for AKC pet insurance on AKC.org, AKC TV, Meet the Breeds, AKC Pupdates and their other media properties. We’ve also enhanced the product offering by launching TailTrax, a mobile app which includes a 24/7 Vet Helpline and allows policyholders to store vaccination and medical history, search for pet friendly businesses nearby, submit claims, and manage many aspects of their insurance policy.

We are also focused on widening and diversifying our lead funnel by building our PetPartners and PetPlace brands. Pet insurance has now become a highly requested employee benefit, which has led us to make it available through worksite marketing. Some of the leading worksite insurers have begun selling pet insurance, but one of the limitations they face is that it is currently done through an individual policy that does not lend itself to benefit administration systems. IAIC has begun filing the first group pet insurance policy designed for the worksite and employer markets. In addition, we are ramping up our affinity sales with several insurers, digital shopping platforms, and other unique entities interested in co-branding our pet insurance for sale through their proven marketing and distribution channels. In order to prepare for the anticipated material growth, we are making significant investments in our pet operations, technology and infrastructure to handle the expected volume, adding outbound calling capability to enhance personalized services, automation of claims and new services within TailTrax. Further, we expect to continue to underwrite pet insurance through our other leading pet managing general agents.

Another point of emphasis has been expansion of our agencies. With respect to our senior call center, we were able to achieve full operational success with our transactional, customer relationship management and training platforms in our first year of operation despite the material challenges posed by COVID-19. All of these are significant achievements when entering into a new market in the face of unprecedented pandemic-related challenges. Our efforts and accomplishments have further proven the viability of the business model, and it makes clear that with increased carrier compensation (a direct result of our early success), and a normalized staffing model, our plans are on track to generate significant income and profits during 2021. In 2019, we significantly expanded our career advisors division by bringing in a new management team and developed a portfolio of products that includes both IHC carrier products as well as unaffiliated carrier products (including ACA and Medicare products). In 2020, we expanded our area sales leaders, increased to 240 agents, and added two significant pieces of technology: a lead platform with multiple vendors for agents to select from which includes a leads reward system based on production, and a Medicare quoting and enrollment tool. The INSX cloud-based platform (owned by our subsidiary My1HR) allows our call center agents, advisors and 1099 producers to quote and enroll products (including ACA plans on the Federal Exchange in 36 states) and IAIC’s ancillary health policies. Agents find that this platform excels in facilitating sales of ACA plans, and, in 2020, we enrolled almost 300,000 members in these plans. We expect that number to increase in 2021. Our platform also allows agents to quote and enroll IAIC’s specialty health products that help manage financial risk not covered under an ACA plan. Our Web Broker is applying to be certified as an EDE partner with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. As an EDE platform, we will have a more robust D2C experience and be a more attractive technology provider for ACA payers. Independence Brokerage Group, our channel for independent producers and national accounts, is growing its presence in the brokerage market as a general agency for our own products and ACA carriers as well as small group self-funded programs.

In order to provide enough leads for our sales force, we are continuing to make significant investments in our lead generation and artificial intelligence capabilities, which will enhance our ability to identify consumer intent and improve conversion rates. With a focus on the senior market, we are continuing to invest in high value domains, as we emphasize online sales via our D2C web portals. Our deployed websites already drive heavy online traffic, and we expect volume to increase significantly as we re-launch these properties, including www.healthinsurance.org, www.medicareresources.org and www.healthedeals.com. We also have a growing presence with affinity groups that desire to offer our products to their members, including a nationally recognized prestigious affinity group serving members of the military and their families seeking to purchase non-senior health insurance.

Group LTD, Life and DBL/PFL Segment. This segment had a very profitable year. Our long-term disability business produced very good results in 2020 as did our group life. We added two new products to our worksite portfolio, a critical illness policy and an accident-only policy, and as a result these new products should add more premium in 2021. We are very optimistic as to our 2021 results for this consistently profitable division. The combined premium for the DBL/PFL block was $115 million in 2020 compared to $81 million in 2019, and we now administer DBL/PFL coverage for 70,000 employers and over 1,000,000 lives. We expect the premiums to increase in 2021 due to New York State increasing PFL rates by 89% for 2021 due, in part, to increased benefits.

Our DBL rates, which remain the most competitive in the industry, and our reputation for providing excellent service remain the key factors for the long-term success of the block. We continue to make website upgrades that increase available data and reporting for agents and policyholders as well as other system upgrades that automate manual tasks and continue the process of direct deposit for policyholder benefit payments and agent commissions.”

Mr. Thung added, “IHC has a very strong balance sheet with no indebtedness and a very substantial amount of free cash at the corporate level and significant excess capital in our insurance companies. Our book value was $32.08 per share at December 31, 2020. IHC increased its annual dividend to $.44 per share in 2020, which is the sixth increase since December 2014 when the annual dividend paid to the stockholders was $.07 per share. Our overall investment portfolio continues to be very highly rated (on average, AA) and has an effective duration of under three years. In 2020, the Company repurchased 244,487 shares, for $7.5 million, including 36,377 in connection with a tender offer in May 2020, and is repurchasing shares on a daily basis in 2021 under our share repurchase program as the market permits at prices up to the maximum allowable, so as to provide liquidity to the market. In conclusion, we are continuing to make material investments as we ramp up our pet and senior marketing divisions. While these significant expenses have impacted our earnings, we believe they should drive significant accretion in shareholder value going forward.”

About Independence Holding Company

Through our subsidiaries, Independence Holding Company (NYSE: IHC) underwrites and distributes health, group disability and life, New York State DBL and paid family leave, and pet insurance. IHC underwrites policies in all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through our three carriers: Independence American Insurance Company, Standard Life Insurance Company of New York and Madison National Life Insurance Company, Inc. We also distribute products nationally through multiple channels, including our agencies, call centers, advisors, direct and affinity relationships, Web Broker, and web properties, including www.healthedeals.com; www.healthinsurance.org; www.medicareresources.org; www.petplace.com; and www.mypetinsurance.com. To learn more visit https://ihcgroup.com/.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements and information contained in this release may be considered “forward-looking statements,” such as statements relating to management's views with respect to future events and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical experience or from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic conditions in the markets in which IHC operates, new federal or state governmental regulation, IHC’s ability to effectively operate, integrate and leverage any past or future strategic acquisition, and other factors which can be found in IHC’s other news releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. IHC expressly disclaims any duty to update its forward-looking statements unless required by applicable law.

INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS)
December 31, 2020

(In Thousands, Except Shares and Per Share Data)

		Three Months Ended						Twelve Months Ended
		December 31,						December 31,
		2020			2019			2020			2019
REVENUES:
Premiums earned	$	102,665		$	84,552		$	397,530		$	338,741
Net investment income		2,605			3,549			11,777			15,643
Fee income		12,075			3,170			24,137			14,003
Other income (loss)		1,584			(3,441	)		9,074			2,002
Net investment gains		413			2,149			1,346			4,705
Net impairment losses recognized in earnings		-			-			-			(646	)
		119,342			89,979			443,864			374,448

EXPENSES:
Insurance benefits, claims and reserves		49,743			45,194			208,217			174,121
Selling, general and administrative expenses		56,560			47,896			205,797			174,979

		106,303			93,090			414,014			349,100

Income (losses) before income taxes		13,039			(3,111	)		29,850			25,348
Income taxes		7,513			6,177			10,732			12,659

Net income		5,526			(9,288	)		19,118			12,689
(Income) from noncontrolling interests		(32	)		(32	)		(237	)		(293	)

NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO IHC	$	5,494		$	(9,320	)	$	18,881		$	12,396


Basic income (loss) per common share	$	.38		$	(.63)		$	1.28		$	.83

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING		14,644			14,857			14,733			14,903

Diluted income (loss) per common share	$	.37		$	(.63)		$	1.28		$	.83

WEIGHTED AVERAGE DILUTED SHARES OUTSTANDING		14,769			14,857			14,791			14,976

As of March 5, 2021, there were 14,639,449 common shares outstanding, net of treasury shares.

INDEPENDENCE HOLDING COMPANY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands)

						December 31,			December 31,
						2020			2019

ASSETS:
	Investments:
		Short-term investments			$	2,634		$	50
		Securities purchased under agreements to resell				49,990			107,157
		Fixed maturities, available-for-sale				406,649			384,974
		Equity securities				6,119			3,747
		Other investments				8,238			15,208
			Total investments			473,630			511,136

	Cash and cash equivalents					72,089			21,094
	Due and unpaid premiums					29,182			26,244
	Due from reinsurers					357,205			362,969
	Goodwill					74,900			60,165
	Other assets					76,150			72,695

				TOTAL ASSETS	$	1,083,156		$	1,054,303

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
LIABILITIES:
	Policy benefits and claims				$	179,232		$	164,802
	Future policy benefits					198,086			201,205
	Funds on deposit					141,376			140,951
	Unearned premiums					12,789			7,282
	Other policyholders' funds					12,001			12,049
	Due to reinsurers					3,872			5,016
	Accounts payable, accruals and other liabilities					63,682			61,049

				TOTAL LIABILITIES		611,038			592,354


Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interest						2,312			2,237

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
	Preferred stock (none issued)					-			-
	Common stock					18,625			18,625
	Paid-in capital					124,757			122,717
	Accumulated other comprehensive income					4,197			1,212
	Treasury stock, at cost					(77,088	)		(69,724	)
	Retained earnings					399,273			386,864

TOTAL IHC STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY						469,764			459,694
NONREDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS						42			18

				TOTAL EQUITY		469,806			459,712

				TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$	1,083,156		$	1,054,303

CONTACT: Loan Nisser
(646) 509-2107
www.IHCGroup.com