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EX-31.1 - 302 CERTIFICATION OF CEO - Option Care Health, Inc.ceo302cert.htm
EX-32.2 - 906 CERTIFICATION OF CFO - Option Care Health, Inc.cfo906cert.htm
EX-31.2 - 302 CERTIFICATION OF CFO - Option Care Health, Inc.cfo302cert.htm
EX-32.1 - 906 CERTIFICATION OF CEO - Option Care Health, Inc.ceo906cert.htm
EX-21.1 - LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES - Option Care Health, Inc.subsidiaries.htm
EX-23.1 - CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP - Option Care Health, Inc.auditorconsent.htm
 
 



 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

(Mark One)
þ
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
   
OR
 
o
PERIODIC REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
 
For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number: 0-28740
 
BioScrip, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
05-0489664
(State of incorporation)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
   
100 Clearbrook Road, Elmsford NY
10523
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
914-460-1600
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock, $.0001 par value

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes o     No þ

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act  Yes o     No þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted to its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes £ No £

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§ 229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 1-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o     Accelerated filer þ     Non-accelerated filer o      Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No þ

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2009, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $125,041,731 based on the closing price of the Common Stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on such date.

On February 24, 2010 there were outstanding 39,794,757 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the close of the registrant’s fiscal year are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report.



 
 

 



   
Page
   
Number
PART I
     
     
            Item 1.
  3
            Item 1A.
  15
            Item 1B.
  21
            Item 2.
  21
            Item 3.
  22
            Item 4.
  22
 
PART II
 
            Item 5.
  22
            Item 6.
  24
            Item 7.
  25
            Item 7A.
  34
            Item 8.
  35
            Item 9.
  57
            Item 9A.
  57
            Item 9B.
  59
 
PART III
 
            Item 10.
  59
            Item 11.
  59
            Item 12.
  59
            Item 13.
  59
            Item 14.
  59
 
PART IV
 
            Item 15.
  59
    63
  64
EXHIBIT INDEX     65


 
2

 

PART I

This Annual Report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, future plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends concerning matters that are not historical facts or that necessarily depend upon future events. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “potential,” and similar expressions. Specifically, this Annual Report contains, among others, forward-looking statements about:

 
·
our expectations regarding financial condition or results of operations for periods after December 31, 2009;

 
·
our future sources of, and needs for, liquidity and capital resources;

 
·
our expectations regarding general economic and business conditions;

 
·
our critical accounting policies;

 
·
our expectations regarding the size and growth of the market for our products and services;

 
·
our business strategies and our ability to grow our business;

 
·
the implementation or interpretation of current or future regulations and legislation, particularly governmental oversight of our business; 

 
·
our ability to maintain contracts and relationships with our customers; and

 
·
our ability to successfully complete the acquisition of Critical Homecare Solutions Holdings, Inc. (“CHS”), and if completed, successfully integrate CHS and realize the anticipated synergies of the acquisition.

The forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report reflect our current views about future events, are based on assumptions, and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Many important factors could cause actual results or achievements to differ materially from any future results or achievements expressed in or implied by our forward-looking statements. Many of the factors that will determine future events or achievements are beyond our ability to control or predict. Certain of these are important factors that could cause actual results or achievements to differ materially from the results or achievements reflected in our forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report reflect our views and assumptions only as of the date this Annual Report is signed. The reader should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we assume no responsibility for updating any forward-looking statements.

We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. In addition, with respect to all of our forward-looking statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.


Overview

We are a specialty pharmaceutical healthcare organization that partners with patients, physicians, healthcare payors and pharmaceutical manufacturers to provide access to medications and management solutions to optimize outcomes for chronic and other complex healthcare conditions.

Our business is reported under two operating segments: (i) Specialty Pharmacy Services, and (ii) Traditional Pharmacy Services.  Our Specialty Pharmacy Services segment includes comprehensive support, dispensing and distribution, patient care management, data reporting, as well as a range of other complex therapy management services for certain chronic and acute health conditions.  The medications we dispense include oral, injectable and


infusible medications which are used to treat patients living with chronic and other complex health conditions.  Our Traditional Pharmacy Services segment consists mainly of traditional mail service pharmacy fulfillment, and to a lesser extent, prescription discount card programs and fully funded pharmacy benefit management (“PBM”) services.

In the quarter ended September 30, 2009, we renamed the reportable segment formerly known as “PBM Services” to “Traditional Pharmacy Services”.  Our decision to rename this segment reflects a shift in the nature of the business included within this segment away from fully funded pharmacy benefit management services and more towards traditional mail services and prescription discount card programs.
 
Revenues from Specialty Pharmacy Services and Traditional Pharmacy Services are derived from our relationships with healthcare payors including managed care organizations, government-funded and/or operated programs, third party administrators (“TPAs”) and self-funded employer groups (collectively, “Plan Sponsors”), as well as from our relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers, patients and physicians.

Our Specialty Pharmacy Services are marketed and/or sold to Plan Sponsors, pharmaceutical manufacturers, physicians, and patients, and target certain specialty medications that are used to treat patients living with chronic and other complex health conditions. These services include the distribution of biotech and other high cost injectable, oral and infusible prescription medications and the provision of therapy management services.

Our Traditional Pharmacy Services are marketed and/or sold to Plan Sponsors and are designed to promote a broad range of cost-effective, clinically appropriate pharmacy services through our own mail service distribution facility and national pharmacy retail network. We also administer prescription discount card programs on behalf of commercial Plan Sponsors, most typically TPAs. Under such programs we derive revenue on a per claim basis from the dispensing network pharmacy.

Specialty Pharmacy Services

Our Specialty Pharmacy Services business consists of our comprehensive specialty pharmacy distribution and therapy management services.  Specialty Pharmacy Services distribution occurs locally through our BioScrip community pharmacies, centrally through our mail order facilities and through our infusion pharmacies for patients requiring infused medications either in the home or at a variety of sites including the Company’s ambulatory treatment centers.  All Specialty Pharmacy Services target certain specialty medications that are used to treat patients living with chronic and other complex healthcare conditions.

We own and operate 43 specialty pharmacies comprised of community pharmacies, located in major metropolitan areas across the United States; mail order pharmacies; and infusion pharmacies. While all of our locations are full-service pharmacies that carry both traditional and specialty medications and are able to treat people with a variety of diseases and medical conditions, we primarily focus on serving patient populations with chronic health conditions, including:

 
·
Dermatology
 
·
Psoriasis

 
·
Endocrinology
 
·
Growth Hormones, Thyroid Cancer

 
·
Hematology
 
·
Sickle Cell Anemia/Thalassemia, Myelodysplastic Syndromes, Bleeding Disorders/Hemophilia

 
·
Neurology
 
·
Multiple Sclerosis, Neuropathies

 
·
Oncology
 
·
In office infusions, Oral Oncolytics, supportive medications

 
·
Rheumatology/Orthopedic
 
·
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis
 
 
·
Transplant
 
·
Solid Organ, Bone Marrow Transplant

 
·
Virology
 
·
HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis A, B & C, Respiratory Syncytial Virus


 
The patients we service typically have prescription or medical drug coverage through commercial insurance, Medicare, Medicaid and/or other governmental programs, and we are primarily reimbursed by the patient’s insurer at a contracted rate or our “usual and customary” rate for the specific drug and/or service provided to the customer. Our Specialty Pharmacy Services programs are designed to optimize the therapeutic outcomes for patients while achieving Plan Sponsors’ and/or pharmaceutical manufacturer’s program goals.  These goals include appropriate utilization of therapies, improved patient compliance and adherence rates, reduced expenditures through discounted drug rates and utilization reporting. Our software and data management tools permit Plan Sponsors, pharmaceutical manufacturers and physicians to: (i) access utilization data to manage better healthcare outcomes; and (ii) measure cost, utilization, prescribing and other pharmacy trends.

Medication Dispensing and Distribution

We carry a full range of prescription medications and are able to dispense nearly all prescription medications for acute and chronic diseases and conditions. As a specialty pharmacy provider our mail and community pharmacy locations also carry hard to find and hard to handle medications that are generally more expensive or more complex than medications carried by retail or traditional pharmacies.

Special shipping and handling techniques in compliance with a manufacturer’s specific requirements are employed, including refrigeration and shipping with dry-ice packs.  When necessary, we provide the drug product along with supplies and equipment needed for administration.

Our pharmacies also deliver medications to physicians’ offices for in-office administration. The majority of our business is patient-specific dispensing, whereby we receive a prescription for a medication and bill the appropriate party or parties for reimbursement of the drug, which may include Plan Sponsors, manufacturers and/or the patient.  In some instances we deliver drugs on a wholesale basis directly to qualified healthcare professionals or institutions, including physicians and in some cases other specialty pharmacy providers or wholesalers.

Billing and Coordination of Benefits

Our pharmacies offer comprehensive billing, patient reimbursement and coordination of benefits (“COB”) services under both a patient’s pharmacy and medical benefits. Our pharmacy locations are contracted with nearly all Federal and state governmental benefit programs including Medicare, Medicaid, and state benefit programs such as AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (“ADAPs”) as well as other Ryan White-funded programs. In addition, our pharmacies participate in most of the pharmacy networks; as well as with managed care organizations directly.

Our comprehensive COB services help patients with multiple sources of insurance and/or government assistance handle complex insurance billing and reimbursement challenges. Retail pharmacies and many of our competitors in the specialty pharmacy arena do not typically provide COB services; we believe providing these services differentiates us from our competitors.  We facilitate comprehensive assistance to patients through third party sources in order to identify financial assistance programs and obtain funding for patients who are unable to afford their out-of-pocket expenditures, including co-payments. We work with a variety of assistance organizations and pharmaceutical manufacturers to obtain this type of funding on behalf of our patients.  Co-payments and coinsurance payments are diligently pursued for collection as required unless approved financial hardship exemptions are in effect.

Specialty Therapy Management

We design and administer clinical programs to maximize the benefits of pharmaceutical utilization as a tool in achieving pharmaceutical therapy goals for certain targeted disease states. Our programs focus on preventing high-risk adverse events through the appropriate use of pharmaceuticals while eliminating unnecessary or duplicate therapies. Key components of these programs include patient education and training, integration of care between pharmacy and medical health disciplines, monitoring of patient


compliance, measurement of the care process and quality, and providing feedback for continuous improvement in achieving therapy goals. The goal of these services is to improve patient outcomes and lower overall healthcare costs.

Our bioscripcare™ patient care programs are designed to address the changing nature of chronic patient care.  We believe that our bioscripcare™ patient care programs address chronic patient needs by providing the optimal structure of patient care through consistent assessment and intervention, ongoing education and patient support, and adherence and persistence management which results in improved patient quality of life and outcomes. Also, as part of our normal business operations for refill management, we initiate monthly telephonic interactions with patients. During the course of these calls, important demographic, therapy and compliance data are gathered. Modifying the existing refill call process by including additional scripted survey questions specific to targeted disease states results in a significantly more robust data gathering process that leads to important health outcome measures.

Our programs incorporate Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (“HEDIS”) guidelines, National Committee for Quality Assurance (“NCQA”) measures and Disease Management Association of America (“DMAA”): The Care Continuum Alliance guidelines.  Measurement, analysis, as well as improvement and repetition are key components of our regular program reviews. Our programs remain dynamic through our focus on continual improvement.  Some of the components of the programs are described below:

 
·
Professional Intervention

Most of the disease states and conditions for which we dispense medications require complex, multi-drug regimens for treatment, many of which have potential adverse side effects and drug interactions. Our pharmacists review prescriptions presented for a patient against that patient’s medical history, his or her past and current medication usage, and clinical references known to us in order to insure that the therapy selected is clinically appropriate. If our pharmacists find a potential or actual problem they contact the prescriber or patient to discuss that patient’s case and alternative medications.  Our pharmacists and clinical staff stay informed about new medications and changing treatment protocols which are utilized in our target disease states and conditions.

 
·
Patient Education

Due to the complexity of the regimens associated with the medications we dispense and the need to educate patients on the importance of compliance and proper dosing and administration, we make great efforts to help our patients, including their caregivers, understand how their drug regimen may affect their health status and lifestyle. We routinely consult with each patient when they receive a prescription from us. We consult on what each medication is for, how it works, and what adverse side effects are most likely to occur, as well as potential interactions between or among multiple medications. Our goal is to fully inform each patient in order to prevent missed doses, delayed starts, and loss of other healthcare treatment options in some cases. We also provide patients with information concerning how medications might influence their lifestyle and give them recommendations on how to fit drug therapies into alternative schedules and travel plans.

Many of the specialty medications we dispense are given by injection. We teach patients how to prepare their medications for administration, how to inject themselves, and how to deal with any reactions that may occur. We often have the patient administer their first dose in the pharmacy so they feel comfortable with taking the medications when they get home. Our pharmacists are always available by telephone for patient questions.

Our pharmacies also provide physicians, patients and their caregivers with a broad range of written educational materials. We create some of those materials and receive others from pharmaceutical manufacturers and not-for-profit organizations. We promote local and national disease-related events.

 
·
Adherence and Persistence Management

“Adherence” is defined as taking medications on a timely basis, as and when prescribed — for example, twice daily.  “Persistence” is defined as taking a regimen of medications for the length of time prescribed.  People with the diseases and conditions we treat often struggle with both of these self-management issues, since their medications are often difficult to take and require months or years of use.

Adherence and persistence are key factors in achieving optimal medication effectiveness and our pharmacists and professional staffs are active with patients, caregivers and physicians in an effort to ensure the highest success rates.  From the start of therapy and throughout the treatment cycle we stress the importance of adherence and persistence through initial teaching sessions and ongoing communications with each medication refill.


We provide refill reminders to alert people when a prescription refill is due or to take their daily medication regimen. We proactively contact patients in instances of missed refills and alert physicians and other healthcare providers when the patient cannot be located. We reinforce these activities with nurse-based adherence management and therapy optimization programs for select conditions that carry a higher risk of complications or treatment failures. The management methodology applied to each specific therapy constantly evolves to reflect such things as new available treatments, revised treatment guidelines, and other market developments. Since the inception of these programs, we have observed results that indicate the achievement of higher compliance rates as compared to industry averages and other documented and available metrics.

Traditional Pharmacy Services

Our Traditional Pharmacy Services business consists mainly of traditional mail order pharmacy fulfillment and, to a lesser extent, prescription discount card programs and integrated PBM services.  These services are designed to offer Plan Sponsors cost-effective delivery of pharmacy benefit plans including the low cost distribution of mail services for plan members who receive traditional maintenance medications.  Traditional Pharmacy Services available to our customers include the following:

Mail Order Pharmacy Dispensing

Our traditional mail service pharmacy, located in Columbus, Ohio, provides patients with medications, primarily via home delivery from a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical management facility.  Customers may order prescriptions by mail, phone or Internet, while ensuring accuracy.  For our partners, using mail service provides enhanced formulary compliance capabilities as well as the ability to utilize appropriate generic medications, all designed to help save money for Plan Sponsors and patients while maintaining high levels of patient satisfaction.

Clinical Services, Formulary and Benefit Design

We work closely with our Plan Sponsors to offer formularies and benefit plan designs that meet their specific program requirements. Formulary design assists in controlling program costs to the extent consistent with accepted medical and pharmacy practices and applicable law, primarily through three principal techniques: (i) tiered co-pay or percentage coinsurance designs, which provide lower co-pays for formulary preferred medications and higher co-pays for non-preferred medications, or charge a percentage of the prescription price to the member at different percentages based on the preferred or non-preferred status of a drug; (ii) generic substitution, which involves the selection of a generic drug as a cost-effective alternative to its bio-equivalent brand name drug; and/or (iii) therapeutic interchange, which involves the selection of a lower cost brand name drug as an alternative to a higher priced brand name drug within a therapeutic class. Formulary rebates on brand name drugs are negotiated with drug manufacturers based on the drug’s preferred status and are typically shared with Plan Sponsors.  We do not manage a rebate program on our own.  Rather, our rebates are managed and administered by a third party vendor.

Many commercial Plan Sponsors do not restrict coverage to a specific list of pharmaceuticals and are said to have no formulary or an “open” formulary that generally covers all drugs approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) except for certain classes of excluded pharmaceuticals, such as certain vitamins and cosmetics, experimental, investigative or over-the-counter drugs.  Other Plan Sponsors utilize a “restricted” or “closed” formulary.  We actively involve our clinical staff with a Plan Sponsor’s Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee (“P&T Committee”) to assist with the design of clinically appropriate formularies in order to control pharmacy costs. Typically, the P&T Committee consists of a Plan Sponsor’s physicians, pharmacists and others, including independent healthcare professionals. The ultimate composition and approval of the formulary resides with the Plan Sponsor. The primary method for assuring formulary compliance on behalf of a Plan Sponsor is by managing pharmacy reimbursement to ensure that non-formulary drugs are not dispensed, or dispensed with higher co-payments, subject to certain limited exceptions.  Closed formularies typically identify a limited number of drugs for preferred status within each therapeutic class to be the preferred drug agent in order to treat most medical conditions appropriately. Provision is also made for coverage of non-formulary or non-preferred drugs, other than certain excluded products, when documented to be clinically appropriate for a particular member. Since non-formulary drugs are rejected for coverage by the real-time POS system, we employ procedures to override restrictions on non-formulary medications for a particular member and period of treatment when necessary.

Drug Usage Evaluation

Drug usage is evaluated on a concurrent, prospective and/or retrospective basis utilizing the real-time POS system and information systems for multiple drug interactions, duplication of therapy, step therapy protocol enforcement, minimum/maximum dose range edits, compliance with prescribed utilization levels and early refill notification.  In addition, we maintain a drug utilization review program through which select medication therapies are


reviewed and data is collected, analyzed and reported for management applications.  At the request of Plan Sponsors our clinical pharmacy team also provides clinical reviews of a patient’s prescription history and medical condition, and our clinical pharmacist provides analysis and recommendations for the patient’s future treatment.

Pharmacy Data Services

Our proprietary software and data management tools permit Plan Sponsors to access key industry measures, which are updated daily and delivered through secure internet-based access. Plan Sponsors often monitor these key measures associated with their members in order to review the effectiveness and success of our Traditional Pharmacy Services programs.  In addition we also build custom reporting systems to support specific customer projects.

Discount Prescription Card Programs

In addition to the managed pharmacy benefit services described above, we administer numerous cash card or discount card programs on behalf of consumer marketing organizations and to a lesser extent other Plan Sponsors. Those cards may be “stand-alone” pharmacy discount programs or bundled with other healthcare or other discount arrangements.  Under those discount programs, individuals who present a discount card at one of our participating network pharmacies or who order medications through one of our mail service pharmacies receive prescription medications at a discounted price off of the retail or “cash” price.
 
 
Supply Agreement

        Effective August 25, 2009, we entered into a prime vendor agreement with AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation (“ABDC”), pursuant to which we purchase from ABDC substantially all of our prescription products, subject to certain minimum periodic purchase levels and excluding purchases of therapeutic plasma products.  Under the prime vendor agreement, we participate in ABDC’s PRxO Generics™ Program and purchase from ABDC a specified percentage of our requirements for generic pharmaceuticals.   Pricing of pharmaceutical products under the agreement is generally based on published Wholesale Acquisition Costs (“WAC”), less certain discounts, rebates and other adjustments that vary with the type of products being purchased.
 
Sales and Marketing

Our sales and marketing efforts are focused on payors, manufacturers, patients and physicians, and are driven by dedicated managed markets, pharmaceutical relations and physician sales teams.  Contracts with healthcare payors, including managed care organizations, are an integral component for sales success. Additionally, contracting with pharmaceutical manufacturers for distribution and management services for newly approved and/or marketed specialty medications continues to contribute to our revenue growth.

Competition

We face substantial competition within the pharmaceutical healthcare services industry and the past year has seen even more consolidation among PBMs, specialty pharmacy providers and pharmaceutical wholesalers. We expect to see this trend continue in the coming year and it is uncertain what effect, if any, these consolidations will have on us or the industry as a whole. The industry also includes a number of large, well-capitalized companies with nationwide operations and capabilities in the specialty services and PBM services arenas, such as CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, Medco Health Solutions, Walgreens, MedImpact Healthcare Systems and many smaller organizations that typically operate on a local or regional basis. In the Specialty Pharmacy Services segment, we compete with several national and regional specialty pharmaceutical distribution companies that have substantial financial resources and which also provide products and services to the chronically ill such as CVS Caremark, Express Scripts and Medco Health Solutions and Walgreens.

Some of our Specialty Pharmacy Services competitors are under common control with, or are owned by, pharmaceutical wholesalers and distributors or retail pharmacy chains and may be better positioned with respect to the cost-effective distribution of pharmaceuticals. Some of our primary competitors, such as US Bioservices, an AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group company, may have a substantially larger market share in many of our specialty disease therapies than our existing market share. Moreover, some of our competitors may have secured long-term supply or distribution arrangements for prescription pharmaceuticals necessary to treat certain chronic disease states on price terms substantially more favorable than the terms currently available to us. As a result of such advantageous pricing, we may be less price competitive than some of these competitors with respect to certain pharmaceutical products. However, we do not believe that we compete strictly on the selling price of particular products or services in either business segment; rather, we offer customers the opportunity to lower overall pharmaceutical and medical costs through therapy management while receiving high quality care.



Information Technology

Over the last three years our investment in information technology has increased each year as we continue to upgrade our core infrastructure and systems.  In 2009 we continued our focus on the migration to a new integrated pharmacy dispensing, clinical management and accounts receivable management system.  We believe that this new system will yield increased efficiencies and improved controls when dispensing or transferring prescriptions and provide improved data reporting and management.  The new system, in conjunction with other information technology infrastructure improvements, will enhance our product and service offerings to payors, physicians and pharmaceutical companies.

In 2010 we will continue to focus on migrating to our new platform, as well as leveraging new technology solutions to transform how we interface with our patients, referral sources and valued partners.

Financial Information about Segments

The following table presents revenue and income from operations by segment. Operating segment financial information is provided in Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (in thousands).

Segment Financial Information (1)


 
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
Revenue:
           
Specialty Pharmacy Services
$ 1,113,305   $ 1,196,587   $ 974,571  
Traditional Pharmacy Services
  216,220     205,324     223,161  
Total
$ 1,329,525   $ 1,401,911   $ 1,197,732  
                   
Income (loss) from operations (2):
                 
Specialty Pharmacy Services (3)
$ (1,320 $ (93,120 $ (2,453 )
Traditional Pharmacy Services
  16,786     9,603     11,304  
Total
$ 15,466   $ (83,517 $ 8,851  



__________________________
(1)
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no material effect on the Company’s previously reported consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
(2)
Certain corporate expenses have been allocated between the two segments for reporting purposes.
(3)
The year ended December 31, 2008 includes $93.9 million of goodwill and intangible asset impairment in the Specialty Pharmacy Services segment.

Government Regulation

As a participant in the healthcare industry our operations and relationships are subject to Federal and state laws and regulations and enforcement by Federal and state governmental agencies. Various Federal and state laws and regulations govern the purchase, dispensing or distribution, and management of prescription drugs and related services we provide and may affect us. We believe that we are in substantial compliance with all legal requirements material to our operations.

We conduct ongoing educational programs to inform employees regarding compliance with relevant laws and regulations and maintain a formal reporting procedure to disclose possible violations of these laws and regulations to the Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Among the various Federal and state laws and regulations which may govern or impact our current and planned operations are the following:


Mail Service Pharmacy Regulation.  Many of the states into which we deliver pharmaceuticals have laws and regulations that require out-of-state mail service pharmacies to register with, or be licensed by, the boards of pharmacy or similar regulatory bodies in those states. These states generally permit the dispensing pharmacy to follow the laws of the state within which the dispensing pharmacy is located.

However, various state pharmacy boards have enacted laws and/or adopted rules or regulations directed at restricting or prohibiting the operation of out-of-state pharmacies by, among other things, requiring compliance with all laws of the states into which the out-of-state pharmacy dispenses medications, whether or not those laws conflict with the laws of the state in which the pharmacy is located, or requiring the pharmacist-in-charge to be licensed in that state. To the extent that such laws or regulations are found to be applicable to our operations, we comply with them.  To the extent that any of the foregoing laws or regulations prohibit or restrict the operation of mail service pharmacies and are found to be applicable to us, they could have an adverse effect on our prescription mail service operations. A number of state Medicaid programs prohibit the participation in those states by out-of-state retail or mail service pharmacies, whether in-state or out-of-state.

There are other statutes and regulations which may also affect our mail service operations. The Federal Trade Commission requires mail order sellers of goods generally to engage in truthful advertising, to stock a reasonable supply of the products to be sold, to fill mail orders within 30 days, and to provide clients with refunds when appropriate.

Professional Licensure. Nurses, pharmacists and certain other health care professionals employed by us are required to be individually licensed or certified under applicable state law. We perform criminal and other background checks on employees and are required under state licensure to ensure that our employees possess all necessary licenses and certifications. We believe that our employees comply in all material respects with applicable licensure laws.

State laws require that each of our pharmacy locations be licensed as an in-state pharmacy to dispense pharmaceuticals in that state. State controlled substance laws require registration and compliance with state pharmacy licensure, registration or permit standards promulgated by the state’s pharmacy licensing authority. Such standards often address the qualification of an applicant’s personnel, the adequacy of its prescription fulfillment and inventory control practices and the adequacy of its facilities. In general, pharmacy licenses are renewed annually. We believe that our pharmacy locations comply with all state licensing laws applicable to these businesses. If our pharmacy locations become subject to additional licensure requirements, are unable to maintain their required licenses or if states place burdensome restrictions or limitations on pharmacies, our ability to operate in some states would be limited, which could have an adverse impact on its business. 

Licensure Laws.  Many states have licensure or registration laws governing certain types of ancillary healthcare organizations, including preferred provider organizations, TPAs, discount cash card prescription drug programs and companies that provide utilization review services. The scope of these laws differs significantly from state to state, and the application of such laws to the activities of pharmacy benefit managers often is unclear. We have registered under such laws in those states in which we have concluded that such registration or licensure is required.

We dispense prescription drugs pursuant to orders received through our BioScrip.com web site, as well as other affiliated private label web sites. Accordingly, we may be subject to laws affecting on-line pharmacies. Several states have proposed laws to regulate on-line pharmacies and require on-line pharmacies to obtain state pharmacy licenses. Additionally, Federal regulation by the FDA, or another Federal agency, of on-line pharmacies that dispense prescription drugs has been proposed. To the extent that such state or Federal regulation could apply to our operations, certain of our operations could be adversely affected by such licensure legislation. Management does not believe that the adoption of any of these internet related laws would have a material adverse effect on our business or operations.

Other Laws Affecting Pharmacy Operations.  We are subject to Federal and state statutes and regulations governing the operation of pharmacies, repackaging of drug products, wholesale distribution, dispensing of controlled substances, medical waste disposal, and clinical trials. Federal statutes and regulations govern the labeling, packaging, advertising and adulteration of prescription drugs and the dispensing of controlled substances. Federal controlled substance laws require us to register our pharmacies and repackaging facilities with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and to comply with security, recordkeeping, inventory control and labeling standards in order to dispense controlled substances.

FDA Regulation.  The FDA generally has authority to regulate drug promotional information and materials that are disseminated by a drug manufacturer or by other persons on behalf of a drug manufacturer. In January 1998, the FDA issued Draft Guidance regarding its intent to regulate certain drug promotion and switching activities of pharmaceutical manufacturers that control, directly or indirectly, a PBM.  The FDA effectively withdrew the Draft Guidance


and has indicated that it would not issue new draft guidance. However, there can be no assurance that the FDA will not assert jurisdiction over certain aspects of our PBM business, including the internet sale of prescription drugs.

Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.  Certain provisions of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act govern the handling and distribution of pharmaceutical products. This law exempts many pharmaceuticals and medical devices from federal labeling and packaging requirements as long as they are not adulterated or misbranded and are dispensed in accordance with, and pursuant to, a valid prescription. We believe that we comply in all material respects with all applicable requirements.

Network Access Legislation.  A majority of states now have some form of legislation affecting our ability to limit access to a pharmacy provider network or remove network providers from our PBM pharmacy network. Subject to various geographic, managed care or other exceptions, such legislation (“any willing provider” legislation) may require us or our clients to admit any retail pharmacy willing to meet the plan’s price and other terms for network participation, or may prohibit the removal of a provider from a network except in compliance with certain procedures (“due process” legislation) or may prohibit days’ supply limitations or co-payment differentials between mail and retail pharmacy providers. Many states with any willing provider statutes also permit a member suspected of substance abuse or who otherwise needs oversight by a pharmacist to be “locked into” one particular pharmacy for the purchase of his or her prescription medicine. Many states have exceptions to the applicability of these statutes for managed care arrangements or other government benefit programs. As a dispensing pharmacy, however, such legislation benefits us by ensuring us access to all networks in those states. Additionally, as a specialty provider, these any willing provider regulations enable us to participate in other PBM’s networks, restricting their ability to lock our pharmacies out of their networks.

Legislation Imposing Plan Design Mandates.  Some states have enacted legislation that prohibits Plan Sponsors from implementing certain restrictions on design features, and many states have introduced legislation to regulate various aspects of managed care plans including legislation that prohibits or restricts therapeutic substitution, requires coverage of all drugs approved by the FDA, or prohibits denial of coverage for non-FDA approved uses. For example, some states provide that members may not be required to use network providers, but that they must instead be provided with benefits even if they choose to use non-network providers (“freedom of choice” legislation), or provide that a member may sue his or her health plan if care is denied. Some states have enacted, and other states have introduced, legislation regarding plan design mandates. Some states mandate coverage of certain benefits or conditions. Such legislation does not generally apply to our business, but it may apply to certain of our customers (generally, HMOs and health insurers). If any such legislation were to become widespread and broad in scope, it could have the effect of limiting the economic benefits achievable through pharmacy benefit management. To the extent that such legislation is applicable and is not preempted by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) (as to plans governed by ERISA), certain of our operations could be adversely affected.  The Federal government, as well as a number of states, have re-enacted legislation purporting to prohibit health plans from requiring or offering members financial incentives for use of mail order pharmacies.

Anti-Kickback Laws.  Subject to certain statutory and regulatory exceptions (including exceptions relating to certain managed care, discount, bona fide employment arrangements, group purchasing and personal services arrangements), the Federal “anti-kickback” law prohibits the knowing and willful offer or payment of any remuneration to induce the referral of an individual or the purchase, lease or order (or the arranging for or recommending of the purchase, lease or order) of healthcare items or services paid for in whole or in part by Medicare, Medicaid or other government-funded healthcare programs (including both traditional Medicaid fee-for-service programs as well as Medicaid managed care programs).  Violation of the Federal anti-kickback statute could subject us to criminal and/or civil penalties including suspension or exclusion from Medicare and Medicaid programs and other government-funded healthcare programs.  A number of states also have enacted anti-kickback laws that sometimes apply not only to state-sponsored healthcare programs but also to items or services that are paid for by private insurance and self-pay patients.  State anti-kickback laws can vary considerably in their applicability and scope and sometimes have fewer statutory and regulatory exceptions than does the federal law.  Management carefully considers the importance of such anti-kickback laws when structuring our operations, and believes that we are in compliance therewith.

The Federal anti-kickback law has been interpreted broadly by courts, the OIG and other administrative bodies. Because of the broad scope of those statutes, Federal regulations establish certain safe harbors from liability. Safe harbors exist for certain properly reported discounts received from vendors, certain investment interests held by a person or entity, and certain properly disclosed payments made by vendors to group purchasing organizations, as well as for other transactions or relationships. Nonetheless, a practice that does not fall within a safe harbor is not necessarily unlawful, but may be subject to scrutiny and challenge. In the absence of an applicable exception or safe harbor, a violation of the statute may occur even if only one purpose of a payment arrangement is to induce patient referrals or purchases. Among the practices that have been identified by the OIG as potentially improper under the


statute are certain “product conversion” or “switching” programs in which benefits are given by drug manufacturers to pharmacists or physicians for changing a prescription (or recommending or requesting such a change) from one drug to another. Anti-kickback laws have been cited as a partial basis, along with state consumer protection laws discussed below, for investigations and multi-state settlements relating to financial incentives provided by drug manufacturers to retail pharmacies in connection with such programs.

Certain governmental entities have commenced investigations of PBM companies and other companies having dealings with the PBM industry and have identified issues concerning selection of drug formularies, therapeutic substitution programs and discounts or rebates from prescription drug manufacturers and whether best pricing requirements are being complied with. Additionally, at least one state has filed a lawsuit concerning similar issues against a health plan. Governmental entities have also commenced investigations against specialty pharmaceutical distribution companies having dealings with pharmaceutical manufacturers concerning retail distribution and sales and marketing practices of certain products and therapies. There can be no assurance that we will not receive subpoenas or be requested to produce documents in pending investigations or litigation from time to time. As well, we may be the target or subject of one or more such investigations or named parties in corresponding actions.

We believe that we are in compliance with the legal requirements imposed by the anti-kickback laws and regulations, and we believe that there are material and substantial differences between drug switching programs that have been challenged under these laws and the generic substitution and therapeutic interchange practices and formulary management programs offered by us to our Plan Sponsors, since no remuneration or other incentives are provided to patients, pharmacists or others. However, there can be no assurance that we will not be subject to scrutiny or challenge under such laws or regulations, or that any such challenge would not have a material adverse effect on us.

On April 18, 2003, the OIG released Compliance Program Guidance for Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (the “Guidance”) which is designed to provide voluntary, nonbinding guidance in devising effective compliance programs to assist companies that develop, manufacture, market and sell pharmaceutical products or biological products in devising effective compliance programs. The Guidance provides the OIG’s view of the fundamental elements of a pharmaceutical manufacturer’s compliance program and principles that should be considered when creating and implementing an effective compliance program, or as a benchmark for companies with existing compliance programs. We currently maintain a compliance program that includes the key compliance program elements described in the Guidance. We believe that the fundamental elements of our compliance program are consistent with the principles, policies and intent of the Guidance.

The Stark Laws.  The Federal self-referral law, commonly known as the “Stark Law”, prohibits physicians from referring Medicare patients for “designated health services” (which include, among other things, outpatient prescription drugs, durable medical equipment and supplies and home health services) to an entity with which the physician, or an immediate family member of the physician, has a direct or indirect financial relationship, unless the financial relationship is structured to meet an applicable exception. Possible penalties for violation of the Stark Law include denial of payment, refund of amounts collected in violation of the statute, civil monetary penalties and program exclusion. Management carefully considers the Stark Law and its accompanying regulations in structuring our financial relationships with physicians and believes that we are in compliance therewith.

State Self-Referral Laws.  We are subject to state statutes and regulations that prohibit payments for the referral of patients and referrals by physicians to healthcare providers with whom the physicians have a financial relationship. Some state statutes and regulations apply to services reimbursed by governmental as well as private payors. Violation of these laws may result in prohibition of payment for services rendered, loss of pharmacy or health provider licenses, fines and criminal penalties. The laws and exceptions or safe harbors may vary from the Federal Stark Law and vary significantly from state to state. Certain of these state statutes mirror the Federal Stark Law while others may be more restrictive. The laws are often vague, and in many cases, have not been widely interpreted by courts or regulatory agencies; however, we believe we are in compliance with such laws.

Statutes Prohibiting False Claims and Fraudulent Billing Activities.  A range of Federal civil and criminal laws target false claims and fraudulent billing activities. One of the most significant is the Federal False Claims Act (the “False Claims Act”), which imposes civil penalties for knowingly making or causing to be made false claims in order to secure a reimbursement from government-sponsored programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. Investigations or actions commenced under the False Claims Act may be brought either by the government or by private individuals on behalf of the government, through a “whistleblower” or “qui tam” action. The False Claims Act authorizes the payment of a portion of any recovery to the individual bringing suit. Such actions are initially required to be filed under seal pending their review by the Department of Justice. If the government intervenes in the lawsuit and prevails, the whistleblower (or plaintiff filing the initial complaint) may share with the Federal government in any settlement or judgment. If the government does not intervene in the lawsuit, the whistleblower plaintiff may pursue the action independently. The False Claims Act generally provides for the imposition of civil penalties and for treble damages, resulting in the possibility of substantial financial penalties for small billing errors tht are replicated in a large number of claims, as each individual claim could be deemed to be a separate violation of the False Claims Act.

 
Some states also have enacted statutes similar to the False Claims Act which may include criminal penalties, substantial fines, and treble damages. In recent years, Federal and state governments have launched several initiatives aimed at uncovering practices that violate false claims or fraudulent billing laws. Under Section 1909 of the Social Security Act, which became effective January 1, 2007, if a state false claim act meets certain requirements as determined by the OIG in consultation with the U.S. Attorney General the state is entitled to an increase of ten percentage points in the state medical assistance percentage with respect to any amounts recovered under a state action brought under such a law. Some of the larger states in terms of population that have had the OIG review such laws include: California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, Tennessee and Texas. We operate in all nine of these states and submit claims for Medicaid reimbursement to the respective state Medicaid agencies.  We expect the list of states that enact qualifying false claims act to continue to grow.  This legislation has led to increased auditing activities by state healthcare regulators.  As such, we have been the subject of an increased number of audits.  While we believe that we are in compliance with Medicaid and Medicare billing rules and requirements, there can be no assurance that regulators would agree with the methodology employed by us in billing for our products and services and a material disagreement between us and these governmental agencies on the manner in which we provide products or services could have a material adverse effect on our business and operations, our financial position and our results of operations.

The False Claims Act also has been used by the Federal government and private whistleblowers to bring enforcement actions under so-called “fraud and abuse” laws like the Federal anti-kickback statute and the Stark Law.  Such actions are not based on a contention that an entity has submitted claims that are facially invalid.  Instead, such actions are based on the theory that when an entity submits a claim, it either expressly or impliedly certifies that it has provided the underlying services in compliance with applicable laws, and therefore that services provided and billed for during an anti-kickback statute or Stark Law violation result in false claims, even if such claims are billed accurately for appropriate and medically necessary services.  The availability of the False Claims Act to enforce alleged fraud and abuse violations has increased the potential for such actions to be brought, and which often are costly and time-consuming to defend.

Reimbursement.  Approximately 25% of our revenues are derived directly from Medicare, Medicaid or other government-sponsored healthcare programs. Also, we indirectly provide benefits to managed care entities that provide services to beneficiaries of Medicare, Medicaid and other government-sponsored healthcare programs. Should there be material changes to Federal or state reimbursement methodologies, regulations or policies, our direct reimbursements from government-sponsored healthcare programs, as well as services fees that relate indirectly to such reimbursements, could be adversely affected. In addition, certain state Medicaid programs only allow for reimbursement to pharmacies residing in the state or in a border state. While we believe that we can service our current Medicaid patients through existing pharmacies, there can be no assurance that additional states will not enact in-state dispensing requirements for their Medicaid programs. To the extent such requirements are enacted, certain therapeutic pharmaceutical reimbursements could be adversely affected.

Legislation and Other Matters Affecting Drug Prices.  Some states have adopted legislation providing that a pharmacy participating in the state Medicaid program must give the state the best price that the pharmacy makes available to any third party plan (“most favored nation” legislation). Such legislation may adversely affect our ability to negotiate discounts in the future from network pharmacies. At least one state has enacted “unitary pricing” legislation, which mandates that all wholesale purchasers of drugs within the state be given access to the same discounts and incentives. Such legislation has not yet been enacted in the states where our mail service pharmacies are located. Such legislation, if enacted in other states, could adversely affect our ability to negotiate discounts on our purchase of prescription drugs to be dispensed by the mail service pharmacies.

Effective September 26, 2009, First DataBank and Medi-Span reduced the mark-up factor applied to WAC, on which the average wholesale price (“AWP”) is based, from 1.25 to 1.20 for approximately 18,000 national drug codes. These AWP publishers also have indicated that, within the next two years, they will discontinue publication of AWP information. The impact of this reduction in AWP was to reduce our gross margins beginning in the fourth quarter of 2009.  See “Risk Factors - Changes in industry pricing benchmarks could adversely affect our financial performance.”
 
Confidentiality, Privacy and HIPAA.  Most of our activities involve the receipt, use and disclosure of confidential medical, pharmacy or other health-related information concerning individual members, including the disclosure of the confidential information to the member’s health benefit plan. In addition, we use aggregated and blinded (anonymous) data for research and analysis purposes.



On April 14, 2003 the final regulations issued by United States Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”),  regarding the privacy of individually identifiable health information (the “Privacy Regulations”) pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) took effect. The Privacy Regulations are designed to protect the medical information of a healthcare patient or health plan enrollee that could be used to identify the individual. We refer to this information as protected health information (“PHI”). The Privacy Regulations apply directly to certain entities known as “covered entities,” which include Plan Sponsors and most healthcare providers. In addition, the Privacy Regulations require covered entities to enter into contracts requiring their “business associates” to agree to certain restrictions regarding the use and disclosure of PHI. The Privacy Regulations apply to PHI maintained in any format, including both electronic and paper records, and impose extensive restrictions on the way in which covered entities (and indirectly their business associates) may use and disclose PHI. In addition, the Privacy Regulations also give patients significant rights to understand and control how their PHI is used and disclosed. Often, use and disclosure of PHI must be limited to the minimum amount necessary to achieve the purpose of the use or disclosure. Certain of our businesses are covered entities directly subject to the Privacy Regulations, and other of our businesses are “business associates” of covered entities, such as Plan Sponsors.

Since October 16, 2003 we have been subject to compliance with the rules governing transaction standards and code sets issued by HHS pursuant to HIPAA (the “Transactions Standards”). The Transactions Standards establish uniform standards to be utilized by covered entities in the electronic transmission of health information in connection with certain common healthcare financing transactions, such as healthcare claims. Under the new Transactions Standards, any party transmitting or receiving health transactions electronically must send and receive data in a single format, rather than the large number of different data formats currently used. The Transactions Standards apply to us in connection with submitting and processing healthcare claims. The Transactions Standards also applies to many of our payors and to our relationships with those payors.

In addition, in February 2003, HHS issued final regulations governing the security of PHI pursuant to HIPAA (the “Security Standards”). The Security Standards impose substantial requirements on covered entities and their business associates regarding the storage, utilization of, access to and transmission of electronic PHI.

The requirements imposed by the Privacy Regulations, the Transactions Standards, and the Security Standards are extensive and have required substantial cost and effort to assess and implement. We have taken and will continue to take steps that we believe are reasonable to ensure that our policies and procedures are in compliance with the Privacy Regulations, the Transactions Standards and the Security Standards. The requirements imposed by HIPAA have increased our burden and costs of regulatory compliance (including our health improvement programs and other information-based products), altered our reporting to Plan Sponsors and reduced the amount of information we can use or disclose if members do not authorize such uses or disclosures.

Most states also have enacted health information privacy laws which restrict the use and disclosure of patient health information.  In addition, several states recently have enacted pharmacy-related privacy legislation that applies not only to patient records but that also prohibits the transfer or use for commercial purposes of pharmacy data that identifies prescribers.  In response to concerns about identity theft, many states also have adopted so-called “security breach” notification laws that may impose requirements regarding the safeguarding of personal information such as social security numbers and bank and credit card account numbers, and that impose an obligation to notify persons when their personal information has or may have been accessed by an unauthorized person.  Many of these laws apply to our business and have and will continue to increase our burden and costs of privacy and security related regulatory compliance.

On February 17, 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“ARRA”) was enacted, and included Title XIII, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (the “HITECH Act”). The HITECH Act modified certain provisions of the HIPAA Privacy Regulations and Security Standards, and included additional requirements meant to protect the privacy and security of health information, including, but not limited to, a new federal breach notification obligation applicable to HIPAA covered entities and their business associates. HHS, as required by the HITECH Act, has issued a regulation setting forth the breach notification obligations applicable to covered entities and their business associates (the “HHS Breach Notification Rule”). The various requirements of the HITECH Act and the HHS Breach Notification Rule have different compliance dates, some of which have passed and some of which will occur in the future. With respect to those requirements whose compliance dates have passed, we believe that we are in compliance with these provisions. With respect to those requirements whose compliance dates are in the future, we are in the process of implementing these new requirements or have done so already, and believe that we will be in compliance with these requirements on or before the applicable compliance date.

Consumer Protection Laws.  Most states have consumer protection laws that have been the basis for investigations and multi-state settlements relating to financial incentives provided by drug manufacturers to pharmacies in connection with drug switching programs. No assurance can be given that we will not be subject to scrutiny or challenge under one or more of these laws.

 
Disease Management Services Regulation.  All states regulate the practice of medicine. To our knowledge, no PBM has been found to be engaging in the practice of medicine by reason of its disease management services. However, there can be no assurance that a Federal or state regulatory authority will not assert that such services constitute the practice of medicine, thereby subjecting such services to Federal and state laws and regulations applicable to the practice of medicine.

Comprehensive PBM Regulation.  Although no state has passed legislation regulating PBM activities in a comprehensive manner, such legislation has been introduced in the past in several states. Since we do not derive significant PBM revenues from business in any particular state, such legislation, if currently enacted in a state, would not have a material adverse impact on our operations.

Antitrust Laws.  Numerous lawsuits have been filed throughout the United States by retail pharmacies against drug manufacturers challenging certain brand drug pricing practices under various state and Federal antitrust laws. A settlement in one such suit would require defendant drug manufacturers to provide the same types of discounts on pharmaceuticals to retail pharmacies and buying groups as are provided to managed care entities to the extent that their respective abilities to affect market share are comparable, a practice which, if generally followed in the industry, could increase competition from pharmacy chains and buying groups and reduce or eliminate the availability to us of certain discounts, rebates and fees currently received in connection with our drug purchasing and formulary administration programs. In addition, to the extent that we, or an associated business, appear to have actual or potential market power in a relevant market, business arrangements and practices may be subject to heightened scrutiny from an anti-competitive perspective and possible challenge by state or Federal regulators or private parties.

While management believes that we are in substantial compliance with all of the existing laws and regulations stated above, such laws and regulations are subject to rapid change and often are uncertain in their application. As controversies continue to arise in the healthcare industry, Federal and state regulation and enforcement priorities in this area may increase, the impact of which cannot be predicted. There can be no assurance that we will not be subject to scrutiny or challenge under one or more of these laws or that any such challenge would not be successful. Any such challenge, whether or not successful, could have a material adverse effect upon our business and results of operations.


Employees

At February 24, 2010, we had 885 full-time, 34 part-time and 423 per diem employees, including 199 licensed pharmacists. Per diem employees are defined as those available on an as-needed basis. None of our employees are represented by any union and, in our opinion, relations with our employees are satisfactory.

Available Information

We maintain a website at www.bioscrip.com.  We make available, free of charge, through our web site our reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K, and amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are filed with or furnished to the SEC.

We have adopted a code of business conduct and ethics for our Company, including our directors, officers and employees. Our code of conduct policy, our corporate governance guidelines and the charters of the audit, compensation and nominating and corporate governance committees of our board of directors are available on our website at www.bioscrip.com.



The continuing pressure on the global credit and financial markets could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

The ongoing global financial crisis continues to result in severely diminished liquidity and credit availability, volatility in consumer confidence, declines in economic growth, increases in unemployment rates and an on-going uncertainty about market stability.  The effect of these actions could reduce enrollment in governmental programs or benefits available to be enrolled.

Limited or expensive access to credit could also reduce the ability of the patients we serve to pay deductibles and co-insurance.  Higher unemployment rates and significant employment layoffs and downsizings may lead to lower numbers of patients enrolled in employer-provided plans.  The adverse economic conditions could also cause employers to stop offering, or limit, certain health care coverage, or the program designs associated with the coverage,


as an employee benefit or cause them to offer this coverage on a voluntary, employee-funded basis as a means to reduce their operating costs, leaving the patient’s ability to pay in question and increasing the likelihood that compliance to drug therapies will be interrupted.

During an economic downturn, Federal and state budgets could be adversely affected, resulting in reduced reimbursements or payments by our Federal and state government health care coverage programs in which we participate, including Medicare, Medicaid and other Federal or state assistance plans.  Also, a reduction in state Medicaid reimbursement rates could be implemented to agreements already negotiated with the government and could adversely affect our revenues and financial results.  Government programs could also slow or temporarily suspend payments on Medicaid obligations, negatively impacting our cash flow and increase our working capital needs and interest payments.

Availability of financing sources may be restricted in the future.

The economic crisis caused contraction in the credit markets and the availability of credit continues to remain restricted. While we believe our existing financing relationship is good and our credit facility is adequate to cover our needs, this agreement has historically been our largest source of funding and expires in the fourth quarter of 2010.  There can be no assurances that this agreement will continue beyond its current maturity.  In addition, if extreme market conditions continue or if our primary financing source were to fail, we can provide no assurance that any financing sources would be available or favorably priced.  Also, future growth may be limited by our ability to gain access to additional capital.

Existing and new government legislative and regulatory action could adversely affect our business and financial results.

        Our Specialty Pharmacy Services and Traditional Pharmacy Services segments are subject to numerous Federal, state and local laws and regulations.  See “Business – Government Regulation.”  Changes in these regulations may require extensive changes to our systems and operations that may be difficult to implement.  Untimely compliance or noncompliance with applicable laws and regulations could adversely affect the continued operation of our business, including, but not limited to: imposition of civil or criminal penalties; suspension of payments from government programs; loss of required government certifications or approvals; loss of authorizations to participate in or exclusion from government reimbursement programs, such as the Medicare and Medicaid programs; or loss of licensure. The regulations to which we are subject include, but are not limited to, Anti-Kickback laws; Federal and state self-referral laws; HIPAA; regulations of the FDA, U.S. Federal Trade Commission, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and regulations of various state regulatory authorities.  In that regard, our business, financial position and results of operations could be affected by one or more of the following:
 
 
·
Federal and state laws and regulations governing the purchase, distribution, management, dispensing and reimbursement of prescription drugs and related services, whether at retail or mail, and applicable licensing requirements;
 
 
·
impact of limited distribution drugs;
 
 
·
the frequency and rate of approvals by the FDA of new brand named and generic drugs, or of over-the-counter status for brand name drugs;
 
 
·
FDA regulation affecting the retail or PBM industry;
 
 
·
rules and regulations issued pursuant to HIPAA and HITECH; and other federal and state laws affecting the use, disclosure and transmission of health information, such as state security breach laws and state laws limiting the use and disclosure of prescriber information;
 
 
·
administration of the Medicare Drug Benefit, including legislative changes and/or CMS rulemaking and interpretation;
 
 
·
government regulation of the development, administration, review and updating of formularies and drug lists;
 
 
·
state laws and regulations establishing or changing prompt payment requirements for payments to retail pharmacies;
 
 
·
managed care reform and plan design legislation; and
 
 
·
direct regulation of pharmacies or PBMs by regulatory and quasi-regulatory bodies.




   Competition in the pharmaceutical healthcare services industry could reduce profit margins.

The pharmaceutical healthcare services industry is very competitive. Our competitors include large and well-established companies that may have greater financial, marketing and technological resources than we do.

The specialty pharmacy industry is highly competitive. Some of our competitors are under common control with, or ownership by, pharmaceutical wholesalers and distributors, managed care organizations, pharmacy benefit managers or retail pharmacy chains and may be better positioned with respect to the cost-effective distribution of pharmaceuticals. In addition, some of our competitors may have secured long-term supply or distribution arrangements for prescription pharmaceuticals necessary to treat certain chronic disease states on price terms substantially more favorable than the terms currently available to us. As a result of such advantageous pricing, we may be less price competitive than some of these competitors with respect to certain pharmaceutical products. Our competitive position could also be adversely affected by any inability to obtain access to new biotech pharmaceutical products.

Changes in industry pricing benchmarks could adversely affect our financial performance.

Contracts with our Traditional Pharmacy Services and Specialty Pharmacy Services clients generally use certain published benchmarks to establish pricing for the reimbursement of prescription medications dispensed by us. These benchmarks include AWP, WAC and average manufacturer price. Most of our contracts utilize the AWP benchmark.

As a result of the settlement of class-action lawsuits brought against First DataBank and Medi-Span, effective September 26, 2009, First DataBank and Medi-Span agreed to reduce the mark-up factor applied to WAC, on which AWP is based, from 1.25 to 1.20 for the approximately 1,400 drug codes that were the subject of the lawsuits. These AWP publishers also similarly reduced the mark-up factor on all other national drug codes on which they had marked up AWP. This voluntary reduction affected approximately 18,000 national drug codes. First DataBank and Medi-Span also have indicated that, within the next two years, they will discontinue publication of AWP information. In response to this change, a number of pharmacy benefit managers and third-party payors made adjustments to existing contracts with network pharmacy providers in order to preserve the economic structure of those agreements. The majority of the state Medicaid agencies did not make any such adjustments, the consequence of which is lowered reimbursement levels. The impact of the AWP settlement was to reduce our gross margins beginning in the fourth quarter of 2009.  Based on revenue from all sources on a year-to-date basis, we estimated the impact of this change to be approximately $5.0 million on an annual basis. In 2010, we expect this margin impact will be offset by overall organic growth as well as an emphasis on higher margin business mix.

Client demands for enhanced service levels or possible loss or unfavorable modification of contracts with clients or providers could pressure margins.

As our clients face the continued rapid growth in prescription drug costs, they may demand additional services and enhanced service levels to help mitigate the increase in spending. We operate in a very competitive environment, and we may not be able to increase our fees to compensate for these increased services, which could put pressure on our margins.

Our contracts with clients generally do not have terms longer than three years and, in some cases, may be terminated by the client on relatively short notice. Our clients generally seek bids from other PBM or specialty providers in advance of the expiration of their contracts. If several of these clients elect not to extend their relationship with us, and we are not successful in generating sales to replace the lost business, our future business and operating results could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, we believe the managed care industry is undergoing substantial consolidation, and another party that is not our client could acquire some of our managed care clients. In such case, the likelihood such client would renew its contract with us could be reduced.

There are approximately 56,000 retail pharmacies in the United States.  All major retail chain pharmacies and a vast majority of independent pharmacies participate in our pharmacy network.  The top ten retail pharmacy chains represent approximately 65% of the total number of stores and over 80% of prescriptions filled in our network. Our contracts with retail pharmacies, which are non-exclusive, are generally terminable on relatively short notice. If one or more of the top pharmacy chains elects to terminate its relationship with us, our members’ access to retail pharmacies and our business could be materially adversely affected. In addition, many large pharmacy chains either own PBMs today, or could attempt to acquire a PBM in the future. Ownership of PBMs by retail pharmacy chains could have material adverse effects on our relationships with such pharmacy chains and on our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position and/or consolidated cash flow from operations.  Pending and future litigation could subject us to significant monetary damages and/or require us to change our business practices.


We are subject to risks relating to litigation and other proceedings in connection with our operations, including the dispensing of pharmaceutical products by our mail service, infusion services and community pharmacies.  See Item 3 – Legal Proceedings for a list of material proceedings pending against us.  While we believe that these suits are without merit and intend to contest them vigorously, we can give no assurance that an adverse outcome in one or more of these suits would not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position and/or consolidated cash flow from operations, or would not require us to make material changes to our business practices. We are presently responding to several subpoenas and requests for information from governmental agencies. We confirmed that we are not a target or a potential subject of those investigations and requests. We cannot predict with certainty what the outcome of any of the foregoing might be. In addition to potential monetary liability arising from these suits and proceedings, we are incurring costs in the defense of the suits and in providing documents to government agencies. Many of the current pending claims and associated costs are covered by our insurance, but certain other costs are not insured, such as deductibles on each claim. While these costs are not currently material to our financial performances and there can be no assurance that such costs will not increase and/or become in the future.

We may be subject to liability claims for damages and other expenses that are not covered by insurance.

A successful product or professional liability claim in excess of our insurance coverage could harm our financial condition and results of operations. Various aspects of our business may subject us to litigation and liability for damages, including the provision of PBM services and the operation of our pharmacies. For example, a prescription drug dispensing error could result in a patient receiving the wrong or incorrect amount of medication, leading to personal injury or death. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could suffer if we pay damages or defense costs in connection with a claim that is outside the scope of any applicable contractual indemnity or insurance coverage.
 
Loss of relationships with one or more pharmaceutical manufacturers and changes in payments made by pharmaceutical manufacturers could adversely affect our business and financial results.

We have contractual relationships with pharmaceutical manufacturers that provide discounts on drugs dispensed from our mail service and community pharmacies, and pay service fees for other programs and services that we provide. Our business and financial results could be adversely affected if: (i) we were to lose relationships with one or more key pharmaceutical manufacturers; (ii)  discounts decline due to changes in utilization of specified pharmaceutical products by health Plan Sponsors and other clients; (iii) legal restrictions are imposed on the ability of pharmaceutical manufacturers to offer rebates, administrative fees or other discounts or to purchase our programs or services; or (iv) pharmaceutical manufacturers choose not to offer rebates, administrative fees or other discounts or to purchase our programs or services.
 
We purchase substantially all of our pharmaceutical products from one vendor and a disruption in our purchasing arrangements could adversely impact our business.

       We purchase substantially all of our prescription products, subject to certain minimum periodic purchase levels and excluding purchases of therapeutic plasma products, from a single wholesaler, ADBC, pursuant to a prime vendor agreement. The term of this agreement extends until August 2012, subject to extension for up to two additional years. Any significant disruption in our relationship with ABDC, or in ABDC's supply of products to us, would make it difficult and possibly more costly for us to continue to operate our business until we are able to execute a replacement wholesaler agreement. There can be no assurance that we would be able to find a replacement wholesaler on a timely basis or that such wholesaler would be able to fulfill our demands on similar financial terms. If we are unable to identify a replacement on substantially similar financial terms, our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows may be materially adverse affected.
 
Failure to develop new products, services and delivery channels may adversely affect our business.

We operate in a highly competitive environment. We develop new products and services from time to time to assist our clients. If we are unsuccessful in developing innovative products and services, our ability to attract new clients and retain existing clients may suffer.

Technology is also an important component of our business as we continue to utilize new and better channels to communicate and interact with our clients, members and business partners. If our competitors are more successful than us in employing this technology, our ability to attract new clients, retain existing clients and operate efficiently may suffer.

The success of our business depends on maintaining a well-secured business and technology infrastructure.

We are dependent on our infrastructure, including our information systems, for many aspects of our business operations. A fundamental requirement for our business is the secure storage and transmission of personal health information and other confidential data. Our business and operations may be harmed if we do not maintain our business processes and information systems in a secure manner, and maintain and improve continually the integrity of our confidential information. Although we have developed systems and processes that are designed to protect information against security breaches, failure to protect such information or mitigate any such breaches may adversely affect our operating results. Malfunctions in our business processes, breaches of our information systems or the failure to maintain effective and up-to-date information systems could disrupt our business operations, result in customer and member disputes, damage our reputation, expose us to risk of loss or litigation, result in regulatory violations, increase administrative
expenses or lead to other adverse consequences.


Problems in the implementation and conversion of our new pharmacy system could result in additional expense.

The Company has committed significant financial and other resources to migrate to a new pharmacy dispensing, clinical management and accounts receivable management system designed to streamline our business processes, provide improved data reporting, data management, scalability and cash posting and billing and collections.  Delays in the implementation of  this system could result in higher operating costs, additional charges for system design changes or delays in the execution of our strategic plan due to our inability to scale our current operating systems.

Our failure to maintain controls and processes over billing and collecting could have a significant negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

The collection of accounts receivable is a significant challenge and requires constant focus and involvement by management and ongoing enhancements to information systems and billing center operating procedures. If we are unable to properly bill and collect our accounts receivable, our results could be materially and adversely affected. While management believes that controls and processes are satisfactory there can be no assurance that accounts receivable collectability will remain at current levels.

Efforts to reduce healthcare costs and alter health care financing practices could adversely affect our business.

During the past several years, the U.S. healthcare industry has been subject to increased governmental regulation at both the Federal and state levels. Certain proposals have been made at the Federal and state government levels in an effort to control healthcare costs, including proposing to lower reimbursement under Medicaid and Medicare programs. These proposals include “single payor” government funded healthcare and price controls on prescription drugs. If these or similar efforts are successful, our business and operations could be materially adversely affected. In addition, changing political, economic and regulatory influences may affect healthcare financing and reimbursement practices. If the current healthcare financing and reimbursement system changes significantly, our business could be materially adversely affected. Congress periodically considers proposals to reform the U.S. healthcare system. Both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives approved reform legislation in late 2009 and the Obama administration has submitted a 2010 Federal budget that emphasizes maintaining patient choice, reducing inefficiencies and costs, increasing prevention programs, improving coverage portability and universality, and improving quality of care.  These proposals may also increase government involvement in healthcare providers reimbursement under Medicare and Medicaid, or otherwise change the way in which our clients do business. Plan Sponsors may react to these proposals and the uncertainty surrounding them by reducing or delaying purchases of clinical services, cost control mechanisms and other related services that we provide. We cannot predict what effect, if any, these proposals may have on our business. Other legislative or market-driven changes in the healthcare system that we cannot anticipate could also materially adversely affect our consolidated results of operations, consolidated financial position and/or consolidated cash flow from operations.

Prescription volumes may decline, and our net revenues and profitability may be negatively impacted, when products are withdrawn from the market or when increased safety risk profiles of specific drugs result in utilization decreases.

We process significant volumes of pharmacy claims for brand-name and generic drugs from our mail service and community pharmacies and through our network of retail pharmacies. These volumes are the basis for our net revenues and profitability. When products are withdrawn by manufacturers, or when increased safety risk profiles of specific drugs or classes of drugs result in utilization decreases, physicians may cease writing or reduce the numbers of prescriptions written for these higher-risk drugs. Additionally, negative media reports regarding drugs with higher safety risk profiles may result in reduced consumer demand for such drugs. In cases where there are no acceptable prescription drug equivalents or alternatives for these prescription drugs, our prescription volumes, net revenues, profitability and cash flows may decline.

The loss of a relationship with one or more Plan Sponsors could negatively impact our business.

Where we do not have preferred or exclusive arrangements with Plan Sponsors, our contracts for reimbursement with Plan Sponsors are often on a perpetual or “evergreen” basis.  These evergreen contracts are subject to termination by a Plan Sponsor’s written notice.  The required notice varies by contract and is typically 30 to 90 days.  Depending on the amount of revenues generated by any single Plan Sponsor or more than one Plan Sponsor in the aggregate, one or more terminations could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations and financial performance.  We are unaware of any intention by a Plan Sponsor to terminate or not renew an agreement with us.


    Network lock-outs by health insurers and PBMs could adversely affect our financial results.

Many Plan Sponsors and PBMs continue to create exclusive specialty networks which limit a member’s access to a mail service facility or network of preferred pharmacies. To the extent our pharmacies are excluded from these networks, we are unable to dispense medications to those members and bill for prescriptions to those member’s insurance carriers. If these specialty networks continue to expand and we are locked out from dispensing specialty medications to members of exclusive networks, our revenues, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Failure to complete the acquisition of CHS could negatively impact the stock price and the future business and financial results of BioScrip.

As previously announced, on January 24, 2010, we entered into an agreement to acquire CHS, a privately held company that is a leading provider of home infusion and home nursing services and products.  See Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for more information.

Although we have agreed to use our reasonable efforts to obtain stockholder approval of the issuance of shares of our common stock necessary to complete the acquisition of CHS, there is no assurance that the acquisition will be approved. If the share issuance is not approved, and as a result the acquisition is not completed, we will have expended substantial sums, including a possible termination fee of $1.0 million payable to CHS, which may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Although we expect that the merger with CHS will result in benefits to BioScrip, we may not realize those benefits because of integration difficulties.

We may not be able to successfully integrate CHS with BioScrip.  The inability to achieve the full extent of, or any of the anticipated synergies of, the acquisition of CHS, including anticipated cost savings and additional revenue opportunities, could have an adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.

Realizing the benefits of the merger will depend in part on the integration of information technology, operations and personnel.  These integration activities are complex and time-consuming and we may encounter unexpected difficulties or incur unexpected costs.

We may not successfully integrate the operations of the businesses of CHS in a timely manner, and we may not realize the anticipated net reductions in costs and expenses and other benefits and synergies of the merger with CHS to the extent, or in the timeframe, anticipated.  In addition to the integration risks discussed above, our ability to realize these net reductions in costs and expenses and other benefits and synergies could be adversely impacted by practical or legal constraints on our ability to combine operations.

We anticipate that the significant indebtedness that will be incurred if we complete the merger with CHS will impose operating and financial restrictions on us which, together with the resulting debt service obligations, may significantly limit our ability to execute our business strategy and increase the risk of default under our debt obligations.

We intend to borrow an aggregate of approximately $325.0 million (not including up to $50.0 million that would also be available under our new revolving credit facility) in connection with the merger.  We expect that the terms of our new credit facilities that we will enter into in connection with the merger will require us to comply with certain financial covenants, including a maximum total leverage ratio and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio.  In addition, the proposed terms of our new indebtedness also include certain covenants restricting or limiting our ability to, among other things:

 
·
incur indebtedness or liens;
 
 
·
make investments or capital expenditures;
 
 
·
engage in mergers, acquisitions or asset sales;
 
 
·
declare dividends or redeem or repurchase capital stock;
 
 
·
enter into transactions with affiliates;
 
 
·
modify our organizational documents; and
 
 
·
change our fiscal year.


Our significant indebtedness could have important consequences, including: making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations; limiting our ability to borrow additional amounts to fund working capital and other purposes; requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to pay interest on our debt; making us more vulnerable to adverse changes in general economic, industry and government regulations; placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared with those of our competitors with less debt; and exposing us to risks in inherent interest rate fluctuations because some of our borrowings are at variable rates.  In addition, we may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow from our operations to repay our indebtedness when it becomes due and to meet our other cash needs.  If this happens and we are not able to refinance our debt, sell additional debt or equity securities or our assets on favorable terms, if at all, it may negatively affect our ability to generate revenues.



None.



Our executive offices are located in Elmsford, New York, and our business offices are located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Our mail operations are located in Columbus, Ohio; Lake Success, New York and Burbank, California. Our pharmacies are located in major metropolitan locations across the United States.  Some of our properties are licensed to operate as dual purpose properties.  We currently lease all of our properties from third parties under various lease terms expiring over periods extending to 2019. Property locations are as follows:

 
 
Corporate Offices
 
Community and Infusion Pharmacies (2)
               
Elmsford, NY
 
California
Minnesota
   
Eden Prairie, MN
   
Burbank (Infusion)
 
Minneapolis
 
     
San Diego
Missouri
   
     
San Francisco (Community & Infusion)
 
Kansas City
 
     
Sherman Oaks
 
St. Louis
   
Mail Operations
   
West Hollywood
Nevada
   
Columbus, OH (1)
 
District of Columbia
 
Las Vegas (Community & Infusion)
Burbank, CA (2)
   
Washington, D.C.
New Jersey
   
Lake Success, NY (2)
Florida
 
Morris Plains (Infusion)
     
Ft. Lauderdale
New York
   
     
Miami Beach
 
Lake Success (Infusion)
     
Orlando
 
Hawthorne
   
     
Pompano Beach (Infusion)
 
Bronx
   
     
St. Petersburg
 
New York
   
     
Tampa Bay
Pennsylvania
   
     
West Palm Beach
 
Philadelphia
 
   
Georgia
 
King of Prussia (Infusion)
     
Atlanta
Tennessee
   
   
Illinois
 
Memphis (Community & Infusion)
     
Chicago
Texas
   
   
Indiana
 
Dallas (two locations)
 
     
Indianapolis (two locations)
 
Houston
   
   
Maryland
Washington
   
     
Baltimore
 
Seattle (Community & Infusion)
   
Massachusetts
Wisconsin
   
     
Boston
 
Milwaukee
   

__________________________
(1)
Facility houses operations for both Specialty Pharmacy Services and Traditional Pharmacy Services operations.
(2)
Facility houses operations for Specialty Pharmacy Services operations.




On February 14, 2005, a complaint was filed in the Alabama Circuit Court for Barbour County, captioned Eufaula Drugs, Inc. v. ScriptSolutions [sic], one of approximately fourteen substantially identical complaints commenced in Alabama courts against various unrelated pharmacy benefit management companies. On April 8, 2005, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint substituting our BioScrip PBM Services f/k/a ScripSolutions (“PBM Services”) as the defendant, seeking unspecified money damages and injunctive relief, and alleging breach of contract and related tort and equitable claims on behalf of a putative nationwide class of pharmacies alleging insufficient reimbursement for prescriptions dispensed by ScripSolutions, principally on the theory that PBM Services was obligated to update its prescription pricing files on a daily rather than weekly basis. Following preliminary proceedings and class discovery, the parties reached a settlement agreement on August 6, 2009, in which we continued to deny liability, with a class of pharmacies which was certified solely for settlement purposes, and class members were entitled to receive $0.065 for each branded prescription filled during the settlement class period.  The court approved the settlement on November 4, 2009 and a final judgment dismissing the action has been entered in the action, the time to appeal which has expired.  The costs of the settlement are covered by insurance.

The sellers of a company, Northland Pharmacy, to Chronimed Holdings, Inc., (now known as BioScrip Pharmacy, Inc.) one of our subsidiaries, are claiming a right to additional purchase price of at least $5.64 million in connection with an earn out provision in the stock purchase agreement regarding the acquisition.  The sellers, named DiCello, first sued in federal court in Ohio in July 2007, but the court stayed the case and directed arbitration of the disagreement by the accounting firm KPMG, LLP, as the stock purchase agreement provides.  We deny owing the sellers any additional purchase price.  The parties have made extensive filings as directed by the arbitrator and are waiting for either the arbitrator’s decision or instructions as to further proceedings in the matter.  We are confident in our position and do not believe an adverse ruling is likely; however, there can be no assurance that an adverse ruling will not be rendered.  If the arbitrator rules in favor of DiCello, such ruling could have a material adverse effect on our business, operations, or financial position.





Our common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“Common Stock”), is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “BIOS.” The following table represents the range of high and low sale prices for our Common Stock for the last eight quarters. Such prices reflect interdealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.


     
High
 
Low
 
 
2008
First Quarter
$ 8.47   $ 5.65  
   
Second Quarter
$ 7.06   $ 2.55  
   
Third Quarter
$ 5.07   $ 1.94  
   
Fourth Quarter
$ 5.00   $ 1.26  
                 
 
2009
First Quarter
$ 2.84   $ 1.35  
   
Second Quarter
$ 5.99   $ 1.95  
   
Third Quarter
$ 7.29   $ 5.26  
   
Fourth Quarter
$ 9.05   $ 6.25  


As of February 24, 2010, there were 284 stockholders of record in addition to approximately 7,100 stockholders whose shares were held in nominee name. On February 24, 2010 the closing sale price of our Common Stock on Nasdaq was $7.14.

We have never paid cash dividends on our Common Stock and do not anticipate doing so in the foreseeable future.

Between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009, we did not issue any shares of common stock without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

Information regarding securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans required by this Item 5 is included in our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the SEC on or before April 30, 2010 in connection with our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is hereby incorporated by reference.

The graph set forth below compares, for the five-year period commencing December 31, 2004 and ending December 31, 2009, the total cumulative return to holders of our Common Stock with the cumulative total return of the Nasdaq Composite Index and the Nasdaq Health Services Index.



 



The selected consolidated financial data presented below should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, Management’s Discussion and Analysis and our Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report. Acquisitions during the periods below include: Chronimed, Inc. (“Chronimed”) beginning March, 2005, JPD, Inc., d/b/a Northland Medical Pharmacy beginning October, 2005, and BioScrip Infusion Services, Inc., (“Infusion West”) beginning March, 2006.



   
December 31,
 
Balance Sheet Data
 
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
2006
 
2005
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Working capital
  $ 91,078   $ 58,844   $ 49,213   $ 37,023   $ 67,488  
Line of Credit
  $ 30,389   $ 50,411   $ 33,778   $ 52,895   $ 7,427  
Total assets (3)
  $ 287,220   $ 246,957   $ 296,822   $ 305,456   $ 298,629  
Stockholders' equity (3)
  $ 155,793   $ 95,537   $ 166,203   $ 161,833   $ 195,765  
 
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
Statement of Operations Data
 
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
2006
 
2005
 
   
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Revenue (1)
  $ 1,329,525   $ 1,401,911   $ 1,197,732   $ 1,151,940   $ 1,072,895  
Gross profit
  $ 157,822   $ 142,170   $ 137,015   $ 118,056   $ 116,376  
Merger related expenses (2)
  $ 1,774   $ -   $ -   $ 58   $ 4,575  
Goodwill and intangible impairment (3)
  $ -   $ 93,882   $ -   $ -   $ 25,165  
Net income (loss) (4, 5)
  $ 54,099   $ (74,032 $ 3,317   $ (38,289 $ (23,847 )
Net income (loss) per basic share
  $ 1.39   $ (1.93 $ 0.09   $ (1.03 $ (0.70 )
Net income (loss) per diluted share (6)
  $ 1.36   $ (1.93 $ 0.09   $ (1.03 $ (0.70 )
Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing:
                               
    basic income (loss) per share
    38,985     38,417     37,647     37,304     34,129  
    diluted income (loss) per share
    39,737     38,417     38,491     37,304     34,129  
__________________________
(1)
Revenues in 2008 include Competitive Acquisition Program (“CAP”) revenues of $71.2 million.  The CAP program ended December 31, 2008.  Revenues in 2008 also included United Healthcare (“UHC”) HIV/AIDS and solid organ transplant service revenues of $116.6 million from contracts which ended in the first quarter of 2009.  2009 revenues included $23.3 million related to these UHC HIV/AIDS contracts.  Certain PBM customer contracts ended in 2007 and prior.  Revenue related to these contracts were $15.0 million, $76.8 million and $154.8 million in the years 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively.
(2)
Expenses in 2009 reflect expenses related to our proposed acquisition of CHS.  Expenses in 2005 and 2006 reflect merger, integration and re-branding expenses related to the acquisition of Chronimed on March 12, 2005.
(3)
2008 includes a $90.0 million charge related to impairment of goodwill, and a $3.9 million charge related to write-off of remaining intangible assets.  2005 includes a $6.6 million charge related to write-off of non-compete agreements, trade names and customer lists due to our rebranding strategy in the Specialty Pharmacy Services segment, and an $18.6 million charge related to goodwill impairment in the Traditional Pharmacy Services segment.
(4)
Net loss in 2005 includes a $4.3 million charge, net of tax, to reflect an increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable created by lower than expected collections during the merger integration period.
(5)
Net income in 2009 includes a $40.6 million tax benefit, primarily relating to the reversal of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets. Net loss in 2006 includes a $25.7 million income tax charge for the establishment of a valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets.
(6)
The 2008, 2006 and 2005 net loss per diluted share excludes the effect of common stock equivalents, as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.




The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) is designed to assist the reader in understanding our Consolidated Financial Statements, the changes in certain key items in those financial statements from year to year and the primary factors that accounted for those changes, as well as how certain accounting principles affect our Consolidated Financial Statements. The discussion also provides information about the financial results of the various segments of our business to provide a better understanding of how those segments and their results affect our financial condition and results of operations as a whole. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements, including the Notes thereto, and the information discussed in Item 1A — Risk Factors.

“Safe Harbor” Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This report contains statements not purely historical and which may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including statements regarding our expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. These forward looking statements may include statements relating to our business development activities, sales and marketing efforts, the status of material contractual arrangements, including the negotiation or re-negotiation of such arrangements, future capital expenditures, the effects of regulation and competition on our business, future operating performance and the results, benefits and risks associated with integration of acquired companies. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties; that actual results may differ materially from those possible results discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various risks, uncertainties and other factors. You should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements as they speak only as of the date they are made, and we assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.

These factors include, among other things, risks associated with increased government regulation related to the healthcare and insurance industries in general and more specifically, pharmacy benefit management and specialty pharmaceutical distribution organizations, changes in reimbursement rates from government and private payors, the existence of complex laws and regulations relating to our business, increased competition from our competitors, including competitors with greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources. This report contains information regarding important factors that could cause such differences.

Business Overview

We are a specialty pharmaceutical healthcare organization that partners with patients, physicians, healthcare payors and pharmaceutical manufacturers to provide access to medications and management solutions to optimize outcomes for chronic and other complex healthcare conditions.

Our business is reported under two operating segments: (i) Specialty Pharmacy Services, and (ii) Traditional Pharmacy Services.  Our Specialty Pharmacy Services segment includes comprehensive support, dispensing and distribution, patient care management, data reporting, as well as a range of other complex therapy management services for certain chronic health conditions.  The medications we dispense include oral, injectable and infusible medications used to treat patients living with chronic, acute and other complex health conditions and are provided to patients and physicians.  Our Traditional Pharmacy Services segment consists mainly of traditional mail service pharmacy fulfillment, and to a lesser extent, prescription discount card programs and fully funded pharmacy benefit management services.

In the quarter ended September 30, 2009, we renamed the reportable segment formerly known as “PBM Services” to “Traditional Pharmacy Services”.  Our decision to rename this segment reflects a shift in the nature of the business included within this segment away from fully funded pharmacy benefit management services and more towards traditional mail services and prescription discount card programs.
 
Revenues from Specialty Pharmacy Services and Traditional Pharmacy Services are derived from our relationships with healthcare payors including Plan Sponsors, as well as from our relationship with pharmaceutical manufacturers, patients and physicians.

Our Specialty Pharmacy Services are marketed and/or sold to Plan Sponsors, pharmaceutical manufacturers, physicians, and patients, and target certain specialty medications that are used to treat patients living with chronic, acute and other complex health conditions.  These services include the distribution of biotech and other high cost injectable, oral and infusible prescription medications and the provision of therapy management services.

 
We experienced a reduction in revenue in 2009 due to the termination of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (“CMS”) Competitive Acquisition Program (“CAP”), and certain United Healthcare (“UHC”) contracts.  As expected, our gross profit as a percentage of revenue increased as a result of these contract terminations, as they operated at margin rates below the average for Specialty Pharmacy Services.

Effective September 26, 2009, First DataBank and Medi-Span reduced the mark-up factor applied to WAC, on which AWP is based, from 1.25 to 1.20 for approximately 18,000 national drug codes. These AWP publishers also have indicated that, within the next two years, they will discontinue publication of AWP information. The impact of this reduction in AWP was to reduce our gross margins beginning in the fourth quarter of 2009.  See “Risk Factors - Changes in industry pricing benchmarks could adversely affect our financial performance.”
 
Our Traditional Pharmacy Services are marketed to Plan Sponsors and are designed to promote a broad range of cost-effective, clinically appropriate pharmacy services through our own mail service distribution facilities and national pharmacy retail network. We also administer prescription discount card programs on behalf of commercial Plan Sponsors, most typically TPAs, as well as PBM services. Under such programs we derive revenue on a per claim basis from the dispensing network pharmacy.

Pending Acquisition

On January 24, 2010, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger to acquire CHS.  CHS is a privately held company that is a leading provider of home infusion and home nursing services and products to patients suffering from chronic and acute medical conditions.  Completion of the acquisition is subject to stockholder approval of the issuance of additional shares of our common stock to CHS stockholders and satisfaction of certain other customary conditions.  The acquisition is expected to close on or about March 31, 2010.

If the merger is completed, we will:

 
·
Repay the net indebtedness of CHS, which is approximately $132.0 million at December 31, 2009, and enter into a new credit facility;

 
·
Pay cash consideration of $110.0 million, subject to adjustment;

 
·
Issue up to approximately 12.9 million shares of our Common Stock, subject to adjustment, of which 2,696,516 shares initially will be held in escrow to fund indemnification payments, if any; and

 
·
Issue warrants to acquire approximately 3.4 million shares of our Common Stock, exercisable at $10.00 per share and having a five-year term.


In order to fund the payment of the cash consideration required to be paid for the acquisition of CHS, refinance our existing indebtedness and repay the existing indebtedness of CHS, we have entered into a commitment letter with Jefferies Finance LLC (“Jefferies”), pursuant to which Jefferies has committed to provide us with $375.0 million in debt financing, comprised of $150.0 million senior credit facilities and $225.0 million in other indebtedness.  We project that the acquisition of CHS will cause dilution of earnings per share in year one and will be accretive thereafter.


Critical Accounting Estimates

Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In preparing our financial statements, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that may not be readily apparent from other sources.  Our actual results may differ from these estimates, and different assumptions or conditions


may yield different estimates. The following discussion highlights what we believe to be the critical accounting estimates and judgments made in the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements.

The following discussion is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all the accounting estimates or judgments made in the preparation of our financial statements and in many cases the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by GAAP, with no need for management’s judgment in its application. See our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report, which contain a description of our accounting policies and other disclosures required by GAAP.

Revenue Recognition

We generate revenue principally through the sale of prescription drugs, which are dispensed either through a pharmacy participating in our pharmacy network or a pharmacy owned by us. Revenue is generally derived under fee-for-service agreements; however, an immaterial amount of revenue is derived from capitated agreements where the fee is based on a per patient basis. Fee-for-service agreements include: (i) specialty and mail service agreements, where we dispense prescription medications through our pharmacy facilities and (ii) PBM agreements, where prescription medications are dispensed through pharmacies participating in our retail pharmacy network as well as through our traditional mail service facility.

Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Subtopic 605-25, Revenue Recognition: Multiple-Element Arrangements (“ASC 605-25”), addresses situations in which there are multiple deliverables under one revenue arrangement with a customer and provides guidance in determining whether multiple deliverables should be recognized separately or in combination.  We provide a variety of therapies to patients.  For infusion related therapies we frequently provide the multiple deliverables of drug delivery and related nursing services.  After applying the criteria from ASC 605-25, we concluded that separate units of accounting exist in revenue arrangements where we provide multiple deliverables.

Under fee-for-service agreements in the Specialty Pharmacy Services segment, drug revenue is recognized at the time the drug is shipped, and nursing revenue is recognized on the date of service. At that point, the earnings process is considered complete and we have substantially accomplished the terms of our transaction.  In the Traditional Pharmacy Services segment, revenue is recognized when the pharmacy services are reported to us through the point of sale (“POS”) claims processing system and the drug is dispensed to the member.

Revenue generated under PBM agreements is classified as either gross or net by us based on whether we are acting as a principal or an agent in the fulfillment of prescriptions through our retail pharmacy network. When we independently have a contractual obligation to pay a network pharmacy provider for benefits provided to its Plan Sponsors’ members, and therefore are the “primary obligor” as defined in ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”), we include payments (which include the drug ingredient cost) from these Plan Sponsors as revenue and payments to the network pharmacy providers as cost of revenue. These transactions require us to pay network pharmacy providers, assume credit risk of Plan Sponsors and act as a principal. If we merely act as an agent, and consequently administer Plan Sponsors’ network pharmacy contracts, we do not have the primary obligation to pay the network pharmacy and assume credit risk and as such record only the administrative fees (and not the drug ingredient cost) as revenue.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Allowances for doubtful accounts are based on estimates of losses related to customer receivable balances. The procedure for estimating the allowance for doubtful accounts requires significant judgment. The risk of collection varies based upon the product, the payor (commercial health insurance, government, physician), the patient’s ability to pay the amounts not reimbursed by the payor and point of distribution (retail, mail service and infusion). We estimate the allowance for doubtful accounts based upon a variety of factors including the age of the outstanding receivables and our historical experience of collections, adjusting for current economic conditions and, in some cases, evaluating specific customer accounts for risk of loss. We periodically review the estimation process and make changes to the estimates as necessary. When it is deemed that a customer account is uncollectible, that balance is written off against the existing allowance.

Allowance for Contractual Discounts

We are reimbursed by Plan Sponsors for the medications and services we sell. Revenues and related accounts receivable are recorded net of payor contractual discounts to reflect the estimated net billable amounts for the products and services delivered. We estimate the allowance for contractual discounts, based on historical experience and in certain cases on a customer-specific basis, given our interpretation of the contract term or applicable


regulations. However, reimbursement rates are often subject to interpretation that could result in payments that differ from our estimates. Additionally, updated regulations and contract negotiations occur frequently, necessitating our continual review and assessment of the estimation process.

Rebates

Manufacturers’ rebates are primarily part of the Company’s Specialty Pharmacy Services segment.  Rebates are generally volume-based incentives that are earned and recorded upon dispense.  Volume-based rebates are recorded as a reduction of both inventory and cost of goods sold.

The Traditional Pharmacy Services segment also includes rebates earned on the PBM portion of the business.  Rebates are recorded on historical PBM results and trends and are revised on a regular basis depending on our latest forecasts, as well as information received from rebate sources.  Should actual results differ, adjustments will be recorded in future earnings when the adjustment becomes known.  In some instances, rebate payments are shared with our Plan Sponsors.  PBM rebates earned by us are recorded as a reduction of cost of goods sold.  PBM rebates shared with clients are recorded as a reduction of revenue consistent with the sales incentive provisions of ASC 605.
 
Payables to Plan Sponsors

Payables to Plan Sponsors primarily represent payments made to us by Plan Sponsors in the Specialty Pharmacy Services segment in excess of the contractually required reimbursement.  These amounts are refunded to Plan Sponsors. These payables also include the sharing of manufacturers’ rebates with Plan Sponsors in the Traditional Pharmacy Services segment.

Income Taxes

As part of the process of preparing our Consolidated Financial Statements, management is required to estimate income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. We account for income taxes under ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”).  ASC 740 requires the use of the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred taxes are determined by calculating the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial accounting and tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that we will not be able to realize the benefit from our deferred tax assets.

We file income tax returns, including returns for our subsidiaries, as prescribed by Federal tax laws and the tax laws of the state and local jurisdictions in which we operate.  Our uncertain tax positions are related to tax years that remain subject to examination and are recognized in the financial statements when the recognition threshold and measurement attributes of ASC 740 are met.  Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recorded as income tax expense.

Goodwill

In accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”), we evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis and whenever events or circumstances exist that indicate that the carrying value of goodwill may no longer be recoverable.  The impairment evaluation is based on a two-step process.  The first step compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill.  If the first step indicates that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the second step must be performed which determines the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill.  The measurement of possible impairment is based upon the comparison of the implied fair value of reporting unit to its carrying value.

We have two reporting units: Specialty Pharmacy Services and Traditional Pharmacy Services. The goodwill associated with the Specialty Pharmacy Services segment was evaluated and no impairment was recorded at December 31, 2009.  In the 2008 evaluation an impairment was identified and recorded at December 31, 2008.  There is no goodwill associated with the Traditional Pharmacy Services segment.

Impairment of Long Lived Assets

We evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate that the remaining estimated useful life of long-lived assets, including intangible assets, may warrant revision or that the remaining balance of an asset may not be recoverable in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 360, Property, Plant and Equipment ("ASC 360"). The measurement of possible impairment is based on the ability to recover the balance of assets from


expected future operating cash flows on an undiscounted basis. Impairment losses, if any, would be determined based on the present value of the cash flows using discount rates that reflect the inherent risk of the underlying business. As a result of the analysis performed at December 31, 2008, we wrote off all intangible assets.  In 2009 there was no impairment of remaining long lived assets.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

Compensation cost for all share-based payments are based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”).  The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using a binomial option-pricing model that uses the following assumptions: (i) expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of our stock, (ii) the risk-free interest rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant, and (iii) the expected life of options granted is derived from previous history of stock exercises from the grant date and represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. We use historical data to estimate option exercise and employee termination assumptions under the valuation model.  The fair value of the award is amortized to expense on a straight line basis over the requisite service period.  We expense restricted stock awards based on vesting requirements, including time elapsed, market conditions, and/or performance conditions.  Because of these requirements, the weighted average period for which the expense is recognized varies.



Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as special purpose entities or variable interest entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other limited purposes. As of December 31, 2009, we are not involved in any unconsolidated special purpose entities or variable interest entities.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no material effect on our previously reported consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.



Results of Operations



CONSOLIDATED RESULTS

Year ended December 31, 2009 vs. December 31, 2008


 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2009
 
2008
 
  (dollars in thousands)  
Revenue
$ 1,329,525   100.0 % $ 1,401,911   100.0 %
Gross profit
  157,822   11.9 %   142,170   10.1 %
Income (loss) from operations
  15,466   1.2 %   (83,517 ) -6.0 %
Interest expense, net
  1,920   0.1 %   2,711   0.2 %
Income (loss) before income taxes
  13,546   1.0 %   (86,228 ) -6.2 %
Tax (benefit) provision
  (40,553 ) -3.1 %   (12,196 ) -0.9 %
Net income (loss)
  54,099   4.1 %   (74,032 ) -5.3 %


Revenue.  Total reported revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009 decreased $72.4 million, or 5.2%, to $1,329.5 million from $1,401.9 million for the same period in 2008.

Specialty Pharmacy Services revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $1,113.3 million compared to $1,196.6 million for the same period in 2008, an $83.3 million, or 7.0%, decrease.  This decrease was primarily due to the


termination of the CAP and certain UHC contracts and the impact of the industry-wide AWP settlement, partially offset by revenue generated under new contracts and drug inflation.  We also experienced revenue growth in our various specialty disease state management programs such as Oncology, Multiple Sclerosis, Iron Overload, and from our infusion business.

Traditional Pharmacy Services revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $216.2 million compared to $205.3 million for the same period in 2008, a $10.9 million, or 5.3%, increase. The increase in revenue was primarily due to the growth in our discount cash card program.

Cost of Revenue and Gross Profit.  Cost of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2009 was $1,171.7 million as compared to $1,259.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008.  Gross margin dollars were $157.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 as compared to $142.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, an increase of $15.6 million, or 11.0%.  Gross margin as a percentage of revenue increased to 11.9% in 2009 from 10.1% in 2008.  The increase in gross margin percentage was primarily the result of the termination of the CAP and certain UHC contracts which, as expected, reduced volumes and increased Specialty Pharmacy Services’ overall margin percentage to 10.6% for the year ended December 31, 2009 from 9.5% for the year ended December 31, 2008.  In addition to a more favorable business mix, our supply chain management programs and reduced shipping costs also contributed to the increase of gross margin percentage and dollars.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  For the year ended December 31, 2009, selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) increased to $133.7 million, or 10.1% of total revenue, from $125.2 million, or 8.9% of total revenue, for the same period in 2008.  The year-over-year increase in SG&A is due to several offsetting factors including the accrual of $4.3 million of management bonus expense as a result of meeting specified criteria for the year, an increase in variable broker costs of $3.1 million related to the marketing of discount card programs as well as additional professional fees and costs of approximately $1.8 million relating to the pending acquisition of CHS.  These additional costs were partially offset by continued cost control measures in our operating units and reduction in corporate overhead costs such as employee benefits.

Goodwill and Intangible Impairment.  There were no goodwill or other impairment charges in 2009.  Goodwill and other impairment charges in 2008 consisted of $90.0 million related to our Specialty Pharmacy Services segment and $3.9 million related to intangible assets, such as customer lists and non-compete agreements.  The 2008 goodwill and other impairment charges related primarily to certain acquisitions in the years 2000 through 2006.

Bad Debt Expense.  For the year ended December 31, 2009 we recorded bad debt expense of $8.6 million, or 0.6% of total revenue, an increase of $3.9 million, compared to $4.7 million, or 0.3% of total revenue in 2008. The increase in bad debt expense is primarily a result of a reduction in 2009 recoveries of previously reserved amounts as compared to the rate of bad debt recovery experienced in 2008, and an additional provision related to uncollected CAP receivables.  Our overall methodology used for determining our provision for bad debt remains essentially unchanged.

Net Interest Expense.  Net interest expense was $1.9 million, or 0.1% of total revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $2.7 million, or 0.2% of total revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2008. The decrease in interest expense was the result of lower weighted average interest which is tied to LIBOR (defined below) and a lower average daily debt balance.

Benefit From Income Taxes.  We reported an income tax benefit of $40.6 million for 2009 compared to an income tax benefit of $12.2 million for 2008. The benefit in 2009 was due to the reversal of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.  The benefit in 2008 was due to goodwill impairment which reduced the deferred tax liability associated with goodwill, which was partially offset by the increase in the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.  At December 31, 2009, we had Federal net operating loss carryforwards available to us of approximately $18.0 million, of which $3.2 million is subject to an annual limitation, all of which will begin expiring in 2012 and later.

Net Income (Loss) and Earnings Per Share.  We reported net income of $54.1 million, or $1.36 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2009, compared to a net loss of $74.0 million, or $1.93 per diluted share, for the same period a year ago. The number of weighted average basic and diluted shares at December 31, 2009 was 38,984,797 and 39,728,653, respectively, compared to 38,416,644 for both basic and diluted shares at December 31, 2008.



Year ended December 31, 2008 vs. December 31, 2007


 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2008
 
2007
 
  (dollars in thousands)  
Revenue
$ 1,401,911   100.0 % $ 1,197,732   100.0 %
Gross profit
  142,170   10.1 %   137,015   11.4 %
Income (loss) from operations
  (83,517 ) -6.0 %   8,851   0.7 %
Interest expense, net
  2,711   0.2 %   3,270   0.3 %
Income (loss) before income taxes
  (86,228 ) -6.2 %   5,581   0.5 %
Tax (benefit) provision
  (12,196 ) -0.9 %   2,264   0.2 %
Net income (loss)
  (74,032 ) -5.3 %   3,317   0.3 %


Revenue.  Total reported revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased $204.2 million, or 17.0%, to $1,401.9 million from $1,197.7 million for the same period in 2007.

Specialty Pharmacy Services revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $1,196.6 million compared to $974.6 million for the same period in 2007, a $222.0 million, or 22.8%, increase. The increase was primarily due to additional revenues associated with sales from Specialty Pharmacy Services payor contracts, including an agreement with UHC for the HIV/AIDS and solid organ transplant programs and the CAP agreement, as well as growth in the sale of oncology drugs and the increase associated with drug cost inflation.

Traditional Pharmacy Services revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $205.3 million compared to $223.2 million for the same period in 2007, a $17.9 million, or 8.0%, decrease. The decline in revenue was due primarily to the loss of a PBM customer during 2007.

Cost of Revenue and Gross Profit.  Reported cost of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008 was $1,259.7 million compared to $1,060.7 million for the same period in 2007. The increase in cost of revenue was primarily the result of increased sales in our Specialty Pharmacy Services segment, which came in at lower than historical margins, offset by lower Traditional Pharmacy Services segment cost of revenue which is a result of lower revenue.  The decline in gross profit percentage was primarily the result of the planned addition of higher revenue, lower margin business including the UHC Agreement.  The reduced profitability of the CAP business also contributed to the overall decline.  Additionally, in the first quarter of 2008, the gross profit percentage was also impacted by timing delays in obtaining increases in reimbursement rates after drug acquisition cost increases were implemented by manufacturers of specialty drugs.  Drug acquisition cost increases typically occur in the first quarter of each year along with a corresponding increase in reimbursement rates, however, there was a longer than usual delay in updating the industry price lists used by us and our peers to charge customers for reimbursement.  As a result of all these factors, the total gross profit as a percentage of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2008 was 10.1%, compared to 11.4% for the same period in 2007.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  For the year ended December 31, 2008, SG&A increased to $125.2 million, or 8.9% of total revenue, from $120.1 million, or 10.0% of total revenue, for the same period in 2007.  The year-over-year increase in SG&A was primarily the result of increased salary and medical benefits, higher brokers’ fees due to the growth in our cash card business and a settlement with the OIG of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services during the third quarter of 2008.  These increases were partially offset by the elimination of bonus expense as no management bonuses were earned in 2008.

Bad Debt Expense.  For the year ended December 31, 2008 we recorded bad debt expense of $4.7 million, a decrease of $0.4 million, compared to $5.1 million in 2007. The decrease in bad debt expense was primarily the result of improved billing, cash collection and posting practices as well as a large bad debt recovery related to a prior year PBM customer bankruptcy claim.  Our overall methodology used for determining our provision for bad debt remains essentially unchanged.

Amortization of Intangibles.  For the year ended December 31, 2008 we recorded amortization expense of intangibles of $1.9 million compared to amortization expense of intangibles of $2.9 million in 2007.  The decrease was due to certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized in the first quarter of 2007.  Also we recorded a write-off of intangibles under ASC 360 discussed further below.  In addition, amortization of intangibles expense was reduced by $1.9 million annually as a result of the write-off.

Net Interest Expense.  Net interest expense was $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 compared to $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. The decrease in interest expense was the result of lower weighted average interest which is tied to LIBOR partially offset by an increase in the average daily balance required to fund the growth of the Specialty Pharmacy Services segment.


Goodwill and Intangible Impairment.  Goodwill and other impairment charges in 2008 consisted of $90.0 million related to our Specialty Pharmacy Services segment and $3.9 million related to intangible assets, such as customer lists and non-compete agreements.  The goodwill charge relates primarily to certain acquisitions in the years 2000 through 2006.

We evaluated goodwill based upon the two-step process required by ASC 350.  As part of step one, we noted the significant decline in our market capitalization below book value, which was sustained through the fourth quarter of 2008.  We had also previously announced changes in the status of long-term Specialty Pharmacy Services contracts which were expected to reduce 2009 revenues.  Those contract changes were (a) the decision by UHC to internalize services for HIV/AIDS and solid organ transplant drugs starting in the first quarter of 2009, and (b) the expiration of CAP with CMS effective December 31, 2008.  The expiration of these contracts, our reduced market capitalization, and the reduced market capitalization of our peers in the healthcare industry were considered to be potential indicators of impairment in contemplation of our annual impairment analysis.

Based on our annual assessment, we determined that the fair value of the Specialty Pharmacy Services segment was less than the carrying value of its net assets.  We then determined the fair value of the Specialty Pharmacy Services segment using a combination of an income approach using the discounted cash flow method and a market approach using the guideline public company method.  We completed step two of the impairment analysis and concluded that the carrying value of the goodwill associated with the Specialty Pharmacy Services segment was impaired, resulting in a fourth quarter non-cash impairment charge of $90.0 million.  The non-cash impairment charge does not change management’s view of the Specialty Pharmacy Services segment reporting unit as our strategic business unit and will not affect liquidity, cash flows from operating activities, debt covenants or our ability to borrow under our existing credit facility.

As part of the annual assessment and in consideration of the impairment indicators, we also evaluated the recoverability of our property and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets in accordance with ASC 350.  As a result, we determined that $3.9 million of definitive-lived intangible assets, consisting of $3.5 million of customer lists and $0.4 million of non-compete agreements, were impaired, and an impairment charge for this amount was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2008.  These impairment tests were performed and the related impairment charges were recorded prior to completing the goodwill impairment analysis.

Benefit From/Provision For Income Taxes.  We reported an income tax benefit of $12.2 million for 2008 compared to an income tax expense $2.3 million for 2007. The benefit in 2008 was due to the goodwill impairment which reduced the deferred tax liability associated with goodwill, partially offset by the increase in the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.  At December 31, 2008, we had Federal net operating loss carryforwards available to us of approximately $29.0 million, of which $5.9 million is subject to an annual limitation, all of which will begin expiring in 2017 and later.

Net (Loss) Income and Earnings Per Share.  We reported a net loss of $74.0 million, or $1.93 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2008, compared to net income of $3.3 million, or $0.09 per diluted share, for the same period in 2007. The number of weighted average shares for both the basic and diluted shares at December 31, 2008 was 38,416,644, compared to basic and diluted shares of 37,647,270 and 38,491,009, respectively, at December 31, 2007.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We utilize both funds generated from operations and available credit under our Facility (as defined below) for general working capital needs, capital expenditures and acquisitions.

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $22.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009, as compared to $8.7 million of cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2008.  The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily the result of net income of $54.1 million of which $40.5 million was the non-cash effect of deferred taxes due primarily to the reversal of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.  Other charges which reduced net income but had no impact on cash from operations were:  bad debt of $8.6 million, depreciation expense of $5.0 million, option expense of $3.4 million, and an increase in our accrued expenses of $4.8 million relating primarily to the 2009 bonus accrual.  Operating uses of cash during the year ended December 31, 2009 include an increase in inventory of $6.0 million relating to various supply chain initiatives and a decrease in accounts payable of $2.4 million due to timing of vendor payments.



Net cash used in investing activities in 2009 was $5.7 million compared to net cash used in investing activities of $7.5 million in 2008.  The change was driven primarily by the continued investment in our information technology infrastructure.

Net cash used in financing activities in 2009 was $17.0 million compared to $16.2 million net cash provided by financing activities in 2008.  The cash used in financing activities to pay down the line of credit was generated from higher net income and lower working capital requirements.  We also received $2.8 million from the exercise of employee stock compensation plans in 2009.

At December 31, 2009, there was $30.4 million in outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) with an affiliate of Healthcare Finance Group, Inc. (“HFG”), as compared to $50.4 million at December 31, 2008.  The Facility provides for borrowing up to $85.0 million at the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or a pre-determined minimum rate plus the applicable margin and other associated fees, provided a sufficient level of receivable assets are available as collateral.  The term of the Facility runs through November 1, 2010.  Under the terms of the Facility, we may request to increase the amount available for borrowing up to $100.0 million, and convert a portion of any outstanding borrowings from a Revolving Loan into a Term Loan.  The borrowing base utilizes receivable balances and proceeds thereof as security under the Facility.  At December 31, 2009 we had $54.6 million of credit available on a borrowing basis of $85.0 million under the Facility.  We have received a financing commitment as part of the CHS acquisition described above under the heading “Pending Acquisition” which we believe will be sufficient to meet our on-going liquidity needs.  If the acquisition does not close, we believe we will be able to renew and extend the Facility.

The weighted average interest rate on the line of credit was 4.4% during 2009 compared to 5.0% for 2008. At February 24, 2010, we had $74.4 million of credit available under the Facility.

The Facility contains various covenants that, among other things, require us to maintain certain financial ratios as defined in the agreements governing the Facility.  In December 2009, we entered an agreement with HFG to amend the terms of the Facility to revise certain calculations required by the covenants. We were in compliance with all the covenants contained in the agreements as of December 31, 2009.

As part of the anticipated acquisition of CHS, we have received a financing commitment from Jefferies to provide a five year senior credit facility in the amount of $150.0 million, including a $50.0 million revolver, and a $225.0 million bridge loan facility.  The bridge loan facility will be drawn on only if $225.0 million in senior unsecured notes are not sold prior to the closing date of the acquisition.  We plan to use $100.0 million of the senior term loan and the proceeds from the senior unsecured notes offering to finance, in part, the acquisition of CHS, to refinance our existing indebtedness and repay CHS’s existing indebtedness, for general corporate purposes and to pay related fees and expenses.  The $50.0 million revolver is expected to be undrawn at closing.  The specific interest rates of the senior term loan and notes is subject to final pricing and we expect the interest to reflect market rates relative to our credit ratings.

At December 31, 2009, we had working capital of $91.1 million compared to $58.8 million at December 31, 2008.  We made substantial information technology (“IT”) systems investments throughout both years to improve efficiencies, internal controls, and data reporting.  We believe that our cash on hand, together with funds available under the Facility and cash expected to be generated from operating activities, will be sufficient to fund our anticipated working capital, IT systems investments and other cash needs for at least the next twelve months.

We may also pursue joint venture arrangements, business acquisitions and other transactions designed to expand our business, which we would expect to fund from borrowings under the Facility, other future indebtedness or, if appropriate, the private and/or public sale or exchange of our debt or equity securities.

At December 31, 2009, we had Federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of approximately $18.0 million, of which $3.2 million is subject to an annual limitation, all of which will begin expiring in 2012 and later.  We have post apportioned state NOL carryforwards remaining of approximately $8.1 million, the majority of which will begin expiring in 2017 and later.

Under the terms of the prime vendor agreement with AmerisourceBergen Drug Company (“ABDC”), we granted ABDC a secured, first priority lien in all of our inventory as well as the proceeds thereof.  In the ordinary course of business, we obtained certain letters of credit (“LC”) from commercial banks in favor of various parties.  At December 31, 2009 there was $1.1 million on deposit as collateral for these LCs.




The following table sets forth our contractual obligations affecting cash in the future:


   
Payments Due in Period
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Contractual Obligations
 
Total
 
Less Than 1 Year
 
1-3 Years
 
4-5 Years
 
After 5 Years
 
Line of credit (1)
  $ 30,389   $ 30,389   $ -   $ -   $ -  
Operating leases
    19,148     4,738     8,500     3,221     2,689  
Purchase commitment
    17,673     17,673     -     -     -  
Total Contractual Cash
                               
     Obligations
  $ 67,210   $ 52,800   $ 8,500   $ 3,221   $ 2,689  

__________________________
(1)
Interest on the line of credit is payable monthly. For additional information regarding the line of credit see information above.



Exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates to our outstanding debt. At December 31, 2009 we did not have any long-term debt. We are exposed to interest rate risk primarily through our borrowing activities under the Facility discussed in Item 7 of this Annual Report. A one percent increase in interest rates would result in an increase in annual interest expense of approximately $0.4 million, pre-tax, based upon the average daily balance during 2009. We do not use financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes and are not a party to any derivative financial instruments.

At December 31, 2009, the carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, claims payable, payables to Plan Sponsors and others, debt and line of credit approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.

Because management does not believe that our exposure to interest rate market risk is material at this time, we have not developed or implemented a strategy to manage this market risk through the use of derivative financial instruments or otherwise. We will assess the significance of interest rate market risk from time to time and will develop and implement strategies to manage that market risk as appropriate.







The Board of Directors and Stockholders
BioScrip, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of BioScrip, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of BioScrip, Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), BioScrip, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 2, 2010, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.


Minneapolis, Minnesota
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
March 2, 2010
 





BIOSCRIP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
December 31,
(in thousands, except for share amounts)




   
2009
 
2008
 
ASSETS
         
Current assets
         
    Cash and cash equivalents
  $ -   $ -  
    Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $11,504 and $11,629 at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively
    151,113     158,649  
    Inventory
    51,256     45,227  
    Short term deferred taxes
    12,913     -  
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    3,999     2,766  
        Total current assets
    219,281     206,642  
Property and equipment, net
    15,454     14,748  
Long term deferred taxes
    26,793     -  
Goodwill
    24,498     24,498  
Other non-current assets
    1,194     1,069  
            Total assets
  $ 287,220   $ 246,957  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
             
Current liabilities
             
    Line of credit
  $ 30,389   $ 50,411  
    Accounts payable
    74,535     76,936  
    Claims payable
    4,068     5,230  
    Amounts due to plan sponsors
    4,938     5,646  
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    14,273     9,575  
        Total current liabilities
    128,203     147,798  
Deferred taxes
    -     533  
Income taxes payable
    2,437     2,764  
Other non-current liabilities
    787     325  
            Total liabilities
    131,427     151,420  
Commitments and Contingencies
             
Stockholders' equity
             
    Preferred stock, $.0001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding
    -     -  
    Common stock, $.0001 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued: 42,766,478, and 41,622,629, respectively; shares outstanding; 39,675,865 and
             
    38,691,356, respectively
    4     4  
    Treasury stock, shares at cost: 2,647,613 and 2,624,186, respectively
    (10,367 )   (10,288 )
    Additional paid-in capital
    254,677     248,441  
    Accumulated deficit
    (88,521 )   (142,620 )
            Total stockholders' equity
    155,793     95,537  
            Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 287,220   $ 246,957  


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.


BIOSCRIP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)




   
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
Revenue
  $ 1,329,525   $ 1,401,911   $ 1,197,732  
Cost of revenue
    1,171,703     1,259,741     1,060,717  
Gross profit
    157,822     142,170     137,015  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    133,720     125,202     120,147  
Bad debt expense
    8,636     4,667     5,119  
Amortization of intangibles
    -     1,936     2,898  
Goodwill and intangible impairment
    -     93,882     -  
    Income (loss) from operations
    15,466     (83,517 )   8,851  
Interest expense, net
    1,920     2,711     3,270  
    Income (loss) before income taxes
    13,546     (86,228 )   5,581  
Tax (benefit) provision
    (40,553 )   (12,196 )   2,264  
    Net income (loss)
  $ 54,099   $ (74,032 ) $ 3,317  
Net income per common share
                   
    Basic
  $ 1.39   $ (1.93 ) $ 0.09  
    Diluted
  $ 1.36   $ (1.93 ) $ 0.09  
Weighted average common shares outstanding
                   
    Basic
    38,985     38,417     37,647  
    Diluted
    39,737     38,417     38,491  


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.


BIOSCRIP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(in thousands)



           
Additional
     
Total
 
   
Common
 
Treasury
 
Paid-in
 
Accumulated
 
Stockholders'
 
   
Stock
 
Stock
 
Capital
 
Deficit
 
Equity
 
Balance December 31, 2006
  $ 4   $ (8,002 ) $ 239,315   $ (69,484 ) $ 161,833  
Exercise of stock options
    -     -     1,867     -     1,867  
Surrender of stock to satisfy minimum tax withholding
    -     (1,397 )   -     -     (1,397 )
Compensation under employee stock compensation plans
    -     -     3,004     -     3,004  
Cumulative effect of accounting pronouncement adoption
    -     -     -     (2,421 )   (2,421 )
Net income
    -     -     -     3,317     3,317  
Balance December 31, 2007
    4     (9,399 )   244,186     (68,588 )   166,203  
Exercise of stock options
    -     -     465     -     465  
Surrender of stock to satisfy minimum tax withholding
    -     (889 )   -     -     (889 )
Compensation under employee stock compensation plans
    -     -     3,790     -     3,790  
Net loss
    -     -     -     (74,032 )   (74,032 )
Balance December 31, 2008
    4     (10,288 )   248,441     (142,620 )   95,537  
Exercise of stock options
    -     -     3,015     -     3,015  
Income tax shortfall from stock option plan
    -     -     (158 )   -     (158 )
Surrender of stock to satisfy minimum tax withholding
    -     (119 )   -     -     (119 )
Issuance of treasury stock for restricted stock vesting
    -     40     (40 )   -     -  
Compensation under employee stock compensation plans
    -     -     3,419     -     3,419  
Net income
    -     -     -     54,099     54,099  
Balance December 31, 2009
  $ 4   $ (10,367 ) $ 254,677   $ (88,521 ) $ 155,793  


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.


BIOSCRIP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Years Ended December 31,
(in thousands)




   
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
             
Net income (loss)
  $ 54,099   $ (74,032 ) $ 3,317  
    Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
                   
        Depreciation
    5,033     4,457     4,192  
        Amortization
    -     1,936     2,898  
        Goodwill and intangible impairment
    -     93,882     -  
        Change in net deferred income taxes
    (40,517 )   (12,221 )   2,808  
        Excess tax benefits relating to employee stock compensation
    (120 )   -     -  
        Compensation under stock-based compensation plans
    3,419     3,790     3,004  
        Bad debt expense
    8,636     4,667     5,119  
    Changes in assets and liabilities
                   
        Receivables, net of bad debt expense
    (1,100 )   (34,347 )   1,050  
        Inventory
    (6,029 )   (11,629 )   (127 )
        Prepaid expenses and other assets
    (1,237 )   (1,923 )   859  
        Accounts payable
    (2,401 )   19,594     5,618  
        Claims payable
    (1,162 )   66     (4,384 )
        Amounts due to plan sponsors
    (708 )   1,078     (5,712 )
        Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    4,832     (4,064 )   5,545  
            Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    22,745     (8,746 )   24,187  
Cash flows from investing activities:
                   
        Purchases of property and equipment, net of disposals
    (5,739 )   (7,463 )   (5,526 )
            Net cash used in investing activities
    (5,739 )   (7,463 )   (5,526 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
                   
        Borrowings on line of credit
    1,331,000     1,409,003     1,200,760  
        Repayments on line of credit
    (1,351,022 )   (1,392,370 )   (1,219,891 )
        Excess tax benefits relating to employee stock compensation
    120     -     -  
        Surrender of stock to satisfy minimum tax withholding
    (119 )   (889 )   (1,397 )
        Proceeds from exercise of employee stock compensation plans
    3,015     465     1,867  
            Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (17,006 )   16,209     (18,661 )
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    -     -     -  
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period
    -     -     -  
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period
  $ -   $ -   $ -  
DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
                   
Cash paid during the period for interest
  $ 1,918   $ 4,011   $ 3,471  
Cash paid during the period for income taxes
  $ 741   $ 382   $ 1,599  


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements


BIOSCRIP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTE 1 — NATURE OF BUSINESS

Corporate Organization and Business

BioScrip, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “BioScrip”) is a specialty pharmaceutical healthcare organization that partners with patients, physicians, healthcare payors and pharmaceutical manufacturers to provide access to medications and management solutions to optimize outcomes for chronic and other complex healthcare conditions.

BioScrip’s business is reported under two operating segments: (i) Specialty Pharmacy Services, and (ii) Traditional Pharmacy Services.  The Specialty Pharmacy Services segment includes comprehensive support, dispensing and distribution, patient care management, data reporting, as well as a range of other complex therapy management services for certain chronic and acute health conditions.  The medications we dispense include oral, injectable and infusible medications which are used to treat patients living with chronic and other complex health conditions.  The Traditional Pharmacy Services segment consists mainly of traditional mail service pharmacy fulfillment, and to a lesser extent, prescription discount card programs and fully funded pharmacy benefit management (“PBM”) services.

The Company distributes high-cost pharmaceuticals and provides clinically focused case and disease management programs to healthcare payors including managed care organizations, government-funded and/or operated programs, third party administrators (“TPAs”) and self-funded employer groups (collectively, “Plan Sponsors”), enrollees afflicted with chronic and other complex health conditions. The disease states or conditions for which the Company has such programs include Psoriasis, Growth Hormone Deficiency, Thyroid Cancer, Sickle Cell/Thalassemia, Hemophilia, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, Solid Organ Transplants, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C&B and RSV. The specialty drugs distributed through the BioScrip programs are dispensed and serviced from the Company’s 43 specialty pharmacy locations across the United States.

Basis of Presentation

The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

Reclassification

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no material effect on the Company’s previously reported consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated events that occurred during the period subsequent to the balance sheet date.  With the exception of the pending acquisition (See Note 14 – Subsequent Events), there were no subsequent events that require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.



 
NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Receivables

Receivables include amounts due from certain third party payors and patient co-payments for pharmacies owned by the Company, amounts due from Plan Sponsors under the Company’s PBM agreements, amounts due from pharmaceutical manufacturers for rebates, and service fees resulting from the distribution of certain drugs through retail pharmacies.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Allowances for doubtful accounts are based on estimates of losses related to customer receivable balances. The procedure for estimating the allowance for doubtful accounts requires significant judgment and assumptions. The risk of collection varies based upon the product, the payor (commercial health insurance, government, and physician), the patient’s ability to pay the amounts not reimbursed by the payor and the point of distribution (retail, national mail). The Company estimates the allowance for doubtful accounts based upon a variety of factors including the age of the outstanding receivables and the historical experience of collections, adjusting for current economic conditions and, in certain cases, evaluating specific customer accounts for risk of loss. The Company periodically reviews the estimation process and makes changes to the estimates as necessary. When it is deemed that a customer account is uncollectible, that balance is written off against the existing allowance.

Allowance for Contractual Discounts

The Company is reimbursed for the medications and services it sells by Plan Sponsors. Revenues and related accounts receivable are recorded net of payor contractual discounts to reflect the estimated net billable amounts for the products and services delivered. The Company estimates the allowance for contractual discounts, based on historical experience and in certain cases on a customer-specific basis, given its interpretation of the contract terms or applicable regulations. However, the reimbursement rates are often subject to interpretation that could result in payments that differ from estimates. Additionally, updated regulations and contract negotiations occur frequently, necessitating the continual review and assessment of the estimation process.

Inventory

Inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. Inventory consists principally of purchased prescription drugs for the Company’s traditional mail and specialty distribution operations. Included in inventory is a reserve for expired inventory.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of assets. The estimated useful lives of the Company’s assets are as follows:

Asset
 
Useful Life
Computer hardware and software
 
3-5 years
Office equipment
 
3-5 years
Furniture and fixtures
 
5-7 years

Leasehold improvements and leased assets are amortized using a straight-line basis over the related lease term or estimated useful life of the assets, whichever is less.  The cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets sold or retired are removed from the accounts with the gain or loss, if applicable, recorded in the statement of operations.  Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred.

Costs relating to the development of software for internal purposes are charged to expense until technological feasibility is established in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”). Thereafter, the remaining software production costs up to the date placed into production are capitalized and included as Property and Equipment.  Amortization of the capitalized amounts commences on the date the asset is ready for its intended use and is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software.



     Amounts due to Plan Sponsors

Amounts due to Plan Sponsors primarily represent overpayments that will be paid back to Plan Sponsors in Specialty Pharmacy Services. In addition, these payables include the sharing of manufacturer’s rebates with Plan Sponsors in the Traditional Pharmacy Services segment.

Rebates

Manufacturers’ rebates are primarily part of the Company’s Specialty Pharmacy Services segment.  Rebates are generally volume-based incentives that are earned and recorded upon dispense.  Volume-based rebates are recorded as a reduction of both inventory and cost of goods sold.

The Traditional Pharmacy Services segment also includes rebates earned on the PBM portion of the business.  Rebates are recorded on historical PBM results and trends and are revised on a regular basis depending on the Company’s latest forecasts, as well as information received from rebate sources.  Should actual results differ, adjustments will be recorded in future earnings when the adjustment becomes known.  In some instances, rebate payments are shared with the Company’s Plan Sponsors.  PBM rebates earned by the Company are recorded as a reduction of cost of goods sold.  PBM rebates shared with clients are recorded as a reduction of revenue consistent with the sales incentive provisions of ASC  Topic 605, Revenue Recognition (“ASC 605”).

Revenue Recognition

The Company generates revenue principally through the sale of prescription drugs, which are dispensed either through a pharmacy participating in its pharmacy network or a pharmacy owned by the Company. Revenue is generally derived under fee-for-service agreements. Fee-for-service agreements include: (i) specialty and mail service agreements, where the Company dispenses prescription medications through its pharmacy facilities and (ii) PBM agreements, where prescription medications are dispensed through pharmacies participating in the Company’s retail pharmacy network as well as through its traditional mail service facility.

Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Subtopic 605-25, Revenue Recognition: Multiple-Element Arrangements (“ASC 605-25”), addresses situations in which there are multiple deliverables under one revenue arrangement with a customer and provides guidance in determining whether multiple deliverables should be recognized separately or in combination.  The Company provides a variety of therapies to patients.  For infusion related therapies the Company frequently provides the multiple deliverables of drug delivery and related nursing services.  After applying the criteria from ASC 605-25, the Company concluded that separate units of accounting exist in revenue arrangements where we provide multiple deliverables.

Under fee-for-service agreements in the Specialty Pharmacy Services segment, drug revenue is recognized at the time the drug is shipped, and nursing revenue is recognized on the date of service. At that point, the earnings process is considered complete and the Company has substantially accomplished the terms of its transaction.  In the Traditional Pharmacy Services segment, revenue is recognized when the pharmacy services are reported to the Company through the point of sale (“POS”) claims processing system and the drug is dispensed to the member.

Revenue generated under PBM agreements is classified as either gross or net by the Company based on whether it is acting as a principal or an agent in the fulfillment of prescriptions through its retail pharmacy network. When the Company independently has a contractual obligation to pay a network pharmacy provider for benefits provided to its Plan Sponsors’ members, and therefore is the “primary obligor” as defined in ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, the Company includes payments (which include the drug ingredient cost) from these Plan Sponsors as revenue and payments to the network pharmacy providers as cost of revenue. These transactions require the Company to pay network pharmacy providers, assume credit risk of Plan Sponsors and act as a principal. If the Company merely acts as an agent, and consequently administers Plan Sponsors’ network pharmacy contracts, it does not have the primary obligation to pay the network pharmacy and assume credit risk and as such records only the administrative fees (and not the drug ingredient cost) as revenue.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue includes the costs of prescription medications, pharmacy claims, fees paid to pharmacies, shipping and other direct and indirect costs associated with pharmacy management and administration, claims processing operations, mail order services and nursing services, offset by volume and prompt pay discounts received from pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors and total manufacturer rebates.


Impairment of Long Lived Assets

The Company evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate the remaining estimated useful life of long lived assets, including intangible assets, may warrant revision or that the remaining balance of an asset may not be recoverable. The measurement of possible impairment is based on the ability to recover the balance of assets from expected future operating cash flows on an undiscounted basis. Impairment losses, if any, are determined based on the present value of the cash flows using discount rates that reflect the inherent risk of the underlying business.

Goodwill

In accordance with ASC 350, the Company evaluates goodwill for impairment on an annual basis and whenever events or circumstances exist that indicate that the carrying value of goodwill may no longer be recoverable.  The impairment evaluation is based on a two-step process.  The first step compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill.  If the first step indicates that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the second step must be performed which determines the implied fair value of reporting unit goodwill. The measurement of possible impairment is based upon the comparison of the implied fair value of reporting unit to its carrying value.

Lease Accounting

The Company accounts for leasing transactions by recording rent expense on a straight-line basis over the expected life of the lease, starting on the date it gains possession of leased property. Lease terms are generally five years, with many containing options to extend for periods ranging from one to five years. The Company includes tenant improvement allowances and rent holidays received from landlords and the effect of any rent escalation clauses as adjustments to straight-line rent expense over the expected life of the lease.  The Company does not enter into capital lease obligations due to certain covenant requirements in our credit facility.

Income Taxes

As part of the process of preparing the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, management is required to estimate income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates. The Company accounts for income taxes under ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). ASC 740 requires the use of the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred taxes are determined by calculating the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial accounting and tax bases of existing assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is recorded against deferred tax assets when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that the Company will not be able to realize the benefit from its deferred tax assets.

The Company files income tax returns, including returns for its subsidiaries, as prescribed by Federal tax laws and the tax laws of the state and local jurisdictions in which it operates.  The Company’s uncertain tax positions are related to tax years that remain subject to examination and are recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements when the recognition threshold and measurement attributes of ASC 740 are met.  Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recorded as income tax expense.

Disclosure of Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments consist mainly of cash and cash equivalents and its line of credit. The carrying amounts of cash, cash equivalents and the line of credit approximate fair value due to their fully liquid or short-term nature.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based employee compensation expense under the provisions of ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”).  At December 31, 2009, the Company has one stock-based employee compensation plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to which incentive stock options (“ISOs”), non-qualified stock options (“NQSOs”), restricted stock, performance units and performance share awards may be granted to employees and non-employee directors. Option and stock awards are typically settled by issuing authorized but unissued shares of the Company.

The Company estimates the fair value of each stock option award on the measurement date using a binomial option-pricing model.  The fair value of the award is amortized to expense on a straight line basis over the requisite service period. The Company expenses restricted stock awards based on vesting requirements, including time elapsed, market conditions and/or performance conditions.  Because of these requirements, the weighted average period for which the expense is recognized varies.


 Income (Loss) Per Share

Basic income (loss) per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Diluted income per share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding, including common stock equivalents, and diluted (loss) per share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding because the impact of common stock equivalents would be anti-dilutive (in thousands except per share data):


   
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
Numerator:
             
Net income (loss):
  $ 54,099   $ (74,032 ) $ 3,317  
Denominator - Basic:
                   
    Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    38,985     38,417     37,647  
Basic income (loss) per common share
  $ 1.39   $ (1.93 ) $ 0.09  
Denominator - Diluted:
                   
    Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
    38,985     38,417     37,647  
    Common share equivalents of outstanding stock options and restricted awards
    752     -     844  
Total diluted shares outstanding
    39,737     38,417     38,491  
Diluted income (loss) per common share
  $ 1.36   $ (1.93 ) $ 0.09  


Employee stock options and restricted stock awards of 3,681,109, 3,996,523 and 3,259,893 for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were excluded from the diluted net income per share calculation because their effect would be anti-dilutive.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2009, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-01, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“ASC Topic 105”) which established the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”) as the official single source of authoritative GAAP.  All previously existing accounting standards were superseded at that date.  All other accounting guidance not included in the Codification will be considered non-authoritative.  The Codification also includes relevant SEC guidance organized using the same topical structure in separate sections within the Codification.

Following the Codification, FASB has stated that it will not issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff Positions or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts.  Instead, it will issue Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) that will serve to update the Codification, provide background information about the guidance and provide the basis for conclusions on the changes to the Codification.

The Codification is not intended to change GAAP, but will change the way GAAP is organized and presented.  The Codification was effective for the Company’s third quarter 2009 financial statements and the principal impact is limited to disclosures as all future references to authoritative accounting literature will be referenced in accordance with the Codification.

In September 2009, FASB issued ASU 2009-13, Multiple Element Arrangements (“ASU 2009-13”), which is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010.  Early adoption is permitted.  If early adoption is elected and the period of adoption is not the beginning of the entity’s fiscal year, the entity will be required to apply the amendments of this ASU retrospectively from the beginning of the entity’s fiscal year.  An entity may elect, but will not be required, to adopt the amendments in this ASU retrospectively for all prior periods. However, an entity cannot apply the amendments in this ASU retrospectively to a period if it is impracticable for it to report the change through retrospective application to that prior period.

ASU 2009-13 addresses the determination of when the individual deliverables included in a multiple arrangement may be treated as separate units of accounting. ASU 2009-13 also eliminates the residual method of allocation and requires that arrangement consideration be allocated at the inception of the arrangement to all deliverables using the relative selling price method. This standard must be adopted by the Company no later than January 1, 2011. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that this standard update will have on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows.
 
        In 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of ASC Topic 855, Subsequent Events (“ASC 855”), which was effective for interim and annual periods after June 15, 2009 and amended on February 24, 2010.  This Statement incorporates guidance into accounting literature that was previously addressed only in auditing standards. The statement refers to subsequent events that provide additional evidence about conditions that existed at the balance-sheet date as “recognized subsequent events”.  Subsequent events which provide evidence about conditions that arose after an issuer’s most recent balance-sheet date but prior to the issuance of its most recent financial statements are referred to as “non-recognized subsequent events”.  It also requires companies to evaluate subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued.


NOTE 3 — OPERATING SEGMENTS

In accordance with ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting (“ASC 280”), and based on the nature of the Company’s services, the Company has two operating and reportable segments: Specialty Pharmacy Services and Traditional Pharmacy Services.  ASC 280 requires an enterprise to report segment information in the same way that management internally organizes its business for assessing performance and making decisions regarding allocation of resources.  The Company evaluates the performance of operating segments and allocates resources based on income from operations.

Revenues from Specialty Pharmacy Services and Traditional Pharmacy Services are derived from the Company’s relationships with healthcare payors including Plan Sponsors as well as from our relationship with pharmaceutical manufacturers, patients and physicians.

The Specialty Pharmacy Services segment consists of the Company’s specialty pharmacy distribution and therapy management services.  Specialty Pharmacy Services distribution occurs locally through community pharmacies, centrally through mail order facilities and through our infusion pharmacies for patients requiring infused medications in the home or infused at a variety of sites including the Company’s ambulatory infusion sites.  All Specialty Pharmacy Services target certain specialty medications that are used to treat patients living with chronic and other complex healthcare conditions.

The Traditional Pharmacy Services segment consists mainly of traditional mail order pharmacy fulfillment, and to a lesser extent, prescription discount card programs and integrated PBM services.  These Traditional Pharmacy Services are designed to offer Plan Sponsors cost-effective delivery of pharmacy benefit plans including the low cost distribution of mail services for plan members who receive traditional maintenance medications.

In the quarter ended September 30, 2009, the Company renamed the reportable segment formerly known as “PBM Services” to “Traditional Pharmacy Services”.  The decision to rename this segment reflects a shift in the nature of the business included within this segment away from fully funded pharmacy benefit management services and more towards traditional mail services and prescription discount card programs.
 
The accounting policies applied to the business segments are the same as those described in Note 2 -  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications are deemed immaterial to segment data presented below.  There is no effect on previously reported net income (loss) from operations.
 




Segment Reporting Information
(in thousands)



   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
Revenue:
             
    Specialty Pharmacy Services
  $ 1,113,305   $ 1,196,587   $ 974,571  
    Traditional Pharmacy Services
    216,220     205,324     223,161  
        Total
  $ 1,329,525   $ 1,401,911   $ 1,197,732  
Income (loss) from operations:
                   
    Specialty Pharmacy Services
  $ (1,320 ) $ (93,120 ) $ (2,453 )
    Traditional Pharmacy Services
    16,786     9,603     11,304  
        Total
    15,466     (83,517 )   8,851  
Interest expense, net
    1,920     2,711     3,270  
Income tax (benefit) provision
    (40,553 )   (12,196 )   2,264  
Net income (loss):
  $ 54,099   $ (74,032 ) $ 3,317  
Capital expenditures:
                   
    Specialty Pharmacy Services
  $ 5,074   $ 6,280   $ 4,843  
    Traditional Pharmacy Services
    665     1,183     683  
        Total
  $ 5,739   $ 7,463   $ 5,526  
Depreciation Expense:
                   
    Specialty Pharmacy Services
  $ 4,206   $ 3,919   $ 3,691  
    Traditional Pharmacy Services
    827     538     501  
        Total
  $ 5,033   $ 4,457   $ 4,192  
Total Assets
                   
    Specialty Pharmacy Services
  $ 208,521   $ 180,237   $ 232,823  
    Traditional Pharmacy Services
    78,699     66,720     63,999  
        Total
  $ 287,220   $ 246,957   $ 296,822  


NOTE 4 — CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

The Company provides trade credit to its customers in the normal course of business.  The following table outlines one pharmacy network agreement under which various Plan Sponsors are served and which Plan Sponsors account for, in the aggregate, revenues and receivables that exceeded 10% of the Company’s total revenues and accounts receivables during the applicable time period:


    Plan Sponsors Aggregated
Year ended December 31, 2007
   
      % of total revenue
  12 %
      % of total accounts receivable at period end
  19 %
Year ended December 31, 2008
     
      % of total revenue
  13 %
      % of total accounts receivable at period end
  19 %
Year ended December 31, 2009
     
      % of total revenue
  14 %
      % of total accounts receivable at period end
  17 %


Plan Sponsor revenue and accounts receivable is primarily in the Traditional Pharmacy Services segment with a lesser amount in the Specialty Pharmacy Services segment.



NOTE 5 — GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES

The Company follows ASC 350 in accounting and reporting for its goodwill and intangible assets. ASC 350 states that goodwill is no longer subject to amortization over its estimated useful life. Goodwill is subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment by applying a fair-value based test.  Management assesses impairment in the fourth quarter of each year or whenever there is an impairment indicator.   The Company has two reporting units: Specialty Pharmacy Services and Traditional Pharmacy Services.   As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, all goodwill is associated with the Specialty Pharmacy Services reporting unit.  Portions of goodwill are expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

Based on its annual assessment for the year ended December 31, 2009, management determined that the fair value of the Company’s Specialty Pharmacy Services reporting unit was greater than the carrying value of its net assets, and as such, no impairment was incurred for fiscal year 2009.

In 2008, the Company experienced a significant decline in its market capitalization below book value, which was sustained through the fourth quarter of 2008.  The Company also previously announced changes in the status of long-term Specialty Pharmacy Services contracts.  Those contract changes included (a) the decision by United Healthcare (“UHC”) to internalize services for HIV/AIDS and solid organ transplant drugs starting in the first quarter of 2009, and (b) the expiration of the Competitive Acquisition Program (“CAP”) with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services effective December 31, 2008.  The expiration or termination of these contracts, the reduced market capitalization of the Company and the reduced market capitalization of the Company’s peers in the healthcare industry were considered to be potential indicators of impairment in contemplation of the Company’s annual impairment analysis.

Based on its 2008 annual assessment, management determined that the fair value of the Company’s Specialty Pharmacy Services segment was less than the carrying value of its net assets.  The Company determined the fair value of the Specialty Pharmacy Services segment using a combination of an income approach using the discounted cash flow method and a market approach using the guideline public company method.  The Company completed step two of the impairment analysis and concluded that the carrying value of the goodwill associated with the Specialty Pharmacy Services segment was impaired, resulting in a fourth quarter non-cash impairment charge of $90.0 million.

The following table provides a reconciliation of goodwill (in thousands):

 
 
   
Total
 
Balance as of December 31, 2007
  $ 114,824  
Goodwill acquired
    -  
Goodwill adjustments
    (286 )
Goodwill impairment
    (90,040 )
Balance as of December 31, 2008
    24,498  
Goodwill acquired
    -  
Goodwill adjustments
    -  
Balance as of December 31, 2009
  $ 24,498  


As part of the 2008 annual assessment and in consideration of the impairment indicators, the Company also evaluated the recoverability of its property and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets in accordance with ASC 350.  As a result, the Company determined that $3.9 million of definitive-lived intangible assets, consisting of $3.5 million of customer lists and $0.4 million of non-compete agreements, were impaired, and an impairment charge for this amount was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2008.  These impairment tests were performed and the related impairment charges were recorded prior to completing the goodwill impairment analysis.



NOTE 6 — PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment, at cost, consists of the following at December 31 (in thousands):

 
 
   
2009
 
2008
 
Computer and office equipment, including equipment acquired under capital leases
  $ 23,067   $ 13,534  
Work in progress
    971     7,161  
Furniture and fixtures
    2,998     2,760  
Leasehold improvements
    9,818     8,418  
      36,854     31,873  
Less: Accumulated depreciation
    (21,400 )   (17,125 )
Property and equipment, net
  $ 15,454   $ 14,748  


Work in progress for 2009 and 2008 includes $0.7 million and $5.7 million, respectively, of costs capitalized for internal use software.

Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $5.0 million, $4.5 million and $4.2 million, respectively.  In 2009, $0.9 million of depreciation expense related to capitalized computer software costs for internal use was recorded.  Previous to 2009 no significant cost of software developed for internal use was recorded to depreciation expense.

NOTE 7 — LINE OF CREDIT

At December 31, 2009, there was $30.4 million in outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) with an affiliate of Healthcare Finance Group, Inc. (“HFG”), as compared to $50.4 million at December 31, 2008.  The Facility provides for borrowing up to $85.0 million at the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or a pre-determined minimum rate plus the applicable margin and other associated fees, provided a sufficient level of receivable assets are available as collateral.  The term of the Facility runs through November 1, 2010.  Under the terms of the Facility, the Company may request to increase the amount available for borrowing up to $100.0 million, and convert a portion of any outstanding borrowings from a Revolving Loan into a Term Loan.  The borrowing base utilizes receivable balances and proceeds thereof as security under the Facility.  At December 31, 2009 the Company had $54.6 million of credit available on a borrowing basis of $85.0 million under the Facility.

The weighted average interest rate on the line of credit was 4.4% during 2009 compared to 5.0% for 2008.

The Facility contains various covenants that, among other things, require the Company to maintain certain financial ratios as defined in the agreements governing the Facility.  In December 2009, the Company and HFG agreed to amend the terms of the Facility to revise certain calculations required by the covenants. The Company was in compliance with all the covenants contained in the agreements as of December 31, 2009.

As part of the anticipated acquisition of CHS, the Company has received a financing commitment from Jefferies Finance LLC (“Jefferies”) to provide a five year senior credit facility in the amount of $150.0 million, including a $50.0 million revolver, and a $225.0 million bridge loan facility.  The bridge loan facility will be drawn on only if the $225.0 million, five and a half year unsecured notes are not sold prior to the closing date of the acquisition.  The Company plans to use $100.0 million of the senior term loan and the proceeds from the senior unsecured notes offering to finance, in part, the acquisition of CHS, to refinance its existing indebtedness and repay CHS’s existing indebtedness, for general corporate purposes and to pay related fees and expenses.  The $50.0 million revolver is expected to be undrawn at closing.  The specific interest rates of the senior term loan and notes is subject to final pricing and the Company expects the interest to reflect market rates relative to its credit ratings.  See Note 14 – Subsequent Events for additional information about the proposed acquisition of CHS.



NOTE 8 — COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

On February 14, 2005, a complaint was filed in the Alabama Circuit Court for Barbour County, captioned Eufaula Drugs, Inc. v. ScriptSolutions [sic], one of approximately fourteen substantially identical complaints commenced in Alabama courts against various unrelated pharmacy benefit management companies. On April 8, 2005, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint substituting BioScrip PBM Services f/k/a ScripSolutions (“PBM Services”) as the defendant, seeking unspecified money damages and injunctive relief, and alleging breach of contract and related tort and equitable claims on behalf of a putative nationwide class of pharmacies alleging insufficient reimbursement for prescriptions dispensed by ScripSolutions, principally on the theory that PBM Services was obligated to update its prescription pricing files on a daily rather than weekly basis. Following preliminary proceedings and class discovery, the parties reached a settlement agreement on August 6, 2009, in which the Company continues to deny liability, with a class of pharmacies which was certified solely for settlement purposes, and class members were entitled to receive $0.065 for each branded prescription filled during the settlement class period.  The court approved the settlement on November 4, 2009 and a final judgment dismissing the action has been entered in the action, the time to appeal which has expired.  The costs of the settlement are covered by insurance.

The sellers of a company, Northland Pharmacy, to Chronimed Holdings, Inc., (now known as BioScrip Pharmacy, Inc.) one of BioScrip’s subsidiaries, are claiming a right to additional purchase price of at least $5.64 million in connection with an earn out provision in the stock purchase agreement regarding the acquisition.  The sellers, named DiCello, first sued in federal court in Ohio in July 2007, but the court stayed the case and directed arbitration of the disagreement by the accounting firm KPMG, LLP, as the stock purchase agreement provides.  BioScrip Pharmacy denies owing the sellers any additional purchase price.  The parties have made extensive filings as directed by the arbitrator and are waiting for either the arbitrator’s decision or instructions as to further proceedings in the matter.  The Company is confident in its position and does not believe an adverse ruling is likely; however, there can be no assurance that an adverse ruling will not be rendered.  If the arbitrator rules in favor of DiCello, such ruling could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operations, or financial position.

Government Regulation

Various Federal and state laws and regulations affecting the healthcare industry do or may impact the Company’s current and planned operations, including, without limitation, Federal and state laws prohibiting kickbacks in government health programs, Federal and state antitrust and drug distribution laws, and a wide variety of consumer protection, insurance and other state laws and regulations. While management believes that the Company is in substantial compliance with all existing laws and regulations material to the operation of its business, such laws and regulations are subject to rapid change and often are uncertain in their application. As controversies continue to arise in the healthcare industry (for example, regarding the efforts of Plan Sponsors and pharmacy benefit managers to limit formularies, alter drug choice and establish limited networks of participating pharmacies), Federal and state regulation and enforcement priorities in this area can be expected to increase, the impact of which on the Company cannot be predicted. There can be no assurance that the Company will not be subject to scrutiny or challenge under one or more of these laws or that any such challenge would not be successful. Any such challenge, whether or not successful, could have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Violation of the Federal anti-kickback statute, for example, may result in substantial criminal penalties, as well as suspension or exclusion from the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Further, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain or maintain any of the regulatory approvals that may be required to operate its business, and the failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Operating Leases

The Company leases its facilities and certain equipment under various operating leases with third parties. Facility lease terms are generally five years, the majority containing options to extend for periods ranging from one to five years. Approximately 80% of these leases contain escalation clauses that increase base rent payments based upon either the Consumer Price Index or an agreed upon schedule. Equipment leases are generally for periods of three to five years.




The future minimum lease payments under operating leases at December 31 are as follows (in thousands):

 
2010
  $ 4,738  
2011
    3,489  
2012
    2,784  
2013
    2,227  
2014
    1,897  
Thereafter
    4,013  
    $ 19,148  

Rent expense for leased facilities and equipment was approximately $5.1 million, $4.6 million and $4.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Security Interest and Letters of Credit

Under the terms of the prime vendor agreement with AmerisourceBergen Drug Company (“ABDC”), the Company granted ABDC a secured, first priority lien in all of its inventory as well as the proceeds thereof.  In the ordinary course of business, the Company obtained certain letters of credit (“LC”) from commercial banks in favor of various parties.  At December 31, 2009 there was $1.1 million on deposit as collateral for these LCs.

Purchase Commitments

As of December 31, 2009, the Company had commitments to purchase prescription drugs from drug manufacturers of approximately $17.7 million in 2010.  These purchase commitments are made at levels expected to be used in the normal course of business.

NOTE 9 — INCOME TAXES

The Company’s Federal and state income tax provision (benefit) is summarized in the following table (in thousands):


   
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
Current
                 
    Federal
  $ (319 )   $ (18 )   $ (501 )
    State
    283       43       (43 )
    Total Current
    (36 )     25       (544 )
Deferred
                       
    Federal
    (36,764 )     (10,660 )     2,448  
    State
    (3,753 )     (1,561 )     360  
    Total Deferred
    (40,517 )     (12,221 )     2,808  
Total (Benefit from) Provision for Income Taxes
  $ (40,553 )   $ (12,196 )   $ 2,264  





The effect of temporary differences that give rise to a significant portion of deferred taxes is as follows (in thousands):


   
December 31,
 
   
2009
 
2008
 
Deferred tax assets:
         
    Reserves not currently deductible
  $ 7,131   $ 6,533  
    Net operating loss carryforwards
    3,595     8,455  
    Intangibles
    4,817     5,310  
    Goodwill (tax deductible)
    14,794     17,720  
    Accrued expenses
    2,117     1,091  
    Stock based compensation
    3,342     2,653  
    Property basis differences
    2,025     1,666  
    Other
    1,885     1,411  
        Subtotal deferred tax assets
    39,706     44,839  
Deferred tax liabilities:
             
    Goodwill (tax deductible)
    -     (533 )
    Less: valuation allowance
    -     (44,839 )
        Net deferred tax asset (liability)
  $ 39,706   $ (533 )


The Company continually assesses the ability to realize the benefit of its deferred tax assets.  In the fourth quarter of 2006 a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets was recorded.  During the fourth quarter of 2009, based upon an evaluation of the positive and negative evidence, the Company concluded that the valuation allowance in the amount of $44.8 million was no longer required.  As part of its analysis, the Company evaluated, among other factors, its recent history of generating taxable income, the underlying factors which resulted in the goodwill impairment charge that was incurred during the fourth quarter of 2008, and its near-term forecasts of future taxable income.  After considering these factors, the Company concluded that a reversal of the valuation allowance was appropriate.  Accordingly, the Company recognized a tax benefit of $44.8 million during the 2009 fourth quarter.

At December 31, 2009, the Company had Federal net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of approximately $18.0 million, of which $3.2 million is subject to an annual limitation, all of which will begin expiring in 2012 and later.  Of the Company’s $18.0 million Federal NOLs, $8.5 million will be recorded in additional paid-in capital when realized.  These NOLs are related to the exercise of non-qualified stock options.  The Company has post apportioned state NOL carryforwards remaining of approximately $8.1 million, the majority of which will begin expiring in 2017 and later.


The Company’s reconciliation of the statutory rate to the effective income tax rate is as follows (in thousands):


   
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
Tax (benefit) provision at statutory rate
  $ 4,566   $ (29,310 ) $ 1,897  
State tax (benefit) provision, net of Federal taxes
    633     (2,616 )   366  
Non-deductible goodwill
    -     1,687     -  
Change in tax contingencies
    (216 )   (360 )   (1,165 )
Valuation allowance changes affecting income tax expense
    (44,839 )   18,245     930  
Change in deferred tax rate
    (992 )   -     -  
Other
    295     158     236  
    Provision for income taxes
  $ (40,553 ) $ (12,196 ) $ 2,264  


As of December 31, 2009 the Company had $1.9 million of total gross unrecognized tax benefits, all of which, if recognized, would favorably affect its effective income tax rate in future periods.  A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):


 
 
   
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at January 1,
  $ 2,287   $ 2,940   $ 4,137  
Gross increases for tax positions of prior years
    -     -     284  
Gross decreases for tax positions of prior years
    -     (239 )   (380 )
Gross increases for tax positions taken in current year
    -     -     6  
Settlements with taxing authorities
    -     (46 )   (114 )
Lapse of statute of limitations
    (339 )   (368 )   (993 )
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at December 31,
  $ 1,948   $ 2,287   $ 2,940  


The Company's policy for recording interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions is to record such items as a component of income tax expense in the statement of operations.  As of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had approximately $0.5 million and $0.5 million  of accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions, respectively.

The Company files income tax returns, including returns for its subsidiaries, with Federal, state and local jurisdictions.  The Company's uncertain tax positions are related to tax years that remain subject to examination.  As of December 31, 2009, U.S. tax returns for 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 remain subject to examination by Federal tax authorities.  Tax returns for the years 2005 through 2009 remain subject to examination by state and local tax authorities for a majority of the Company's state and local filings.

During January 2008, the Company settled certain controversies with taxing authorities.  The settlement called for payment of $63,000 of tax and interest.  The remaining amount of $0.3 million of unrecognized tax benefits and interest for this tax position was reversed during first quarter 2008 through goodwill.
 
NOTE 10 — TREASURY STOCK

On February 27, 2003, the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to an aggregate of $10.0 million of its common stock in open market or private transactions. No stock was repurchased during 2009, 2008 or 2007; however, during 2009, 2008 and 2007, 33,552; 187,544 and 189,492 shares, respectively, were surrendered to satisfy tax withholding obligations on the vesting of restricted stock awards. As of December 31, 2009, approximately $4.9 million of the $10.0 million authorized remains available for additional share repurchases. The Company holds a total of 2,647,613 shares of treasury stock acquired under current and prior repurchase programs as well as forfeitures to satisfy tax obligations in the vesting of restricted stock awards.

NOTE 11 — STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Under the Company’s 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”) the Company may issue, among other things, incentive stock options (“ISOs”), non-qualified stock options (“NQSOs”), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, and performance units to employees and directors.  Under the 2008 Plan, 3,580,000 shares were authorized for issuance (subject to adjustment for grants made under the Company’s 2001 Incentive Stock Plan (the “2001 Plan”) after January 1, 2008, as well as for forfeitures, expirations or awards that under the 2001 Plan otherwise settled in cash after the adoption thereof).  As of December 31, 2009 209,253 shares remained available for grant under the 2008 Plan.  Upon effectiveness of the 2008 Plan in April 2008, the Company ceased making grants under the 2001 Plan.  The 2008 Plan and the 2001 Plan are administered by the Company’s Management Development and Compensation Committee (the “Compensation Committee”), a standing committee of the Board.

Under the terms of the 2008 Plan and the 2001 Plan, plan participants may use shares to cover tax withholding on income earned as a result of appreciation of equity-based instruments upon exercise, vesting and/or lapsing of restrictions thereon.  Upon the exercise of stock options and the vesting of other equity awards granted under the Plans, participants will generally have taxable income subject to statutory withholding requirements.  The number of shares that may be issued to participants upon the exercise of stock options and the vesting of equity awards may be reduced by the number of shares having a market value equal to the amount of tax required to be withheld by the Company to satisfy Federal, state and local tax obligations as a result of such exercise or vesting.

Stock Options

Options granted under the plans: (a) typically vest over a three-year period and, in certain instances, fully vest upon a change in control of the Company, (b) have an exercise price that may not be less than 100% of its fair market value on the date of grant (110% for ISOs granted to a stockholder who holds more than 10% of the outstanding stock of the Company), and (c) are generally exercisable for ten years (five years for ISOs granted to a stockholder


holding more than 10% of the outstanding stock of the Company) after the date of grant, subject to earlier termination in certain circumstances.

The Company recognized compensation expense related to stock options of $2.2 million, $2.1 million and $1.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The fair value of each stock option award on the date of the grant was calculated using a binomial option-pricing model.  Option expense is amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period and was calculated with the following weighted average assumptions:


   
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
Expected volatility
    66.4 %   51.4 %   54.4 %
Risk-free interest rate
    2.99 %   3.86 %   4.70 %
Expected life of options
 
5.6 years
 
5.7 years
 
5.2 years
 
Dividend rate
    -     -     -  
Fair value of options
  $ 1.70   $ 3.46   $ 2.29  



Stock option activity through December 31, 2009 is as follows:


       
Weighted
 
Aggregate
 
Weighted Average
       
Average
 
Intrinsic Value
 
Remaining
   
Options
 
Exercise Price
 
(thousands)
 
Contractual Life
Balance, December 31, 2008
    5,784,371   $ 6.53   $ 27.5  
5.6 years
    Granted
    1,918,600     2.84          
    Exercised
    (889,606 )   3.39          
    Forfeited
    (182,974 )   4.86          
    Expired
    (580,334 )   7.01          
Balance, December 31, 2009
    6,050,057   $ 5.83   $ 19,014.1  
6.2 years
Outstanding options less expected
                     
    forfeitures at December 31, 2009
    5,430,876   $ 6.09   $ 16,023.4  
5.9 years
Exercisable at December 31, 2009
    3,589,751   $ 7.32   $ 7,437.5  
4.6 years


The weighted-average, grant-date fair value of options granted during the years ending December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $1.70, $3.46 and $2.29 respectively. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, was $3.0 million, $0.1 million, and $1.3 million, respectively.

Cash received from option exercises under share-based payment arrangements for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, was $3.0 million, $0.2 million and $1.9 million, respectively.

The maximum term of stock options under these plans is ten years. Options outstanding as of December 31, 2009 expire on various dates ranging from August 2010 through October 2019. The following table outlines our outstanding and exercisable stock options as of December 31, 2009:


 
 
   
Options Outstanding
 
Options Exercisable
 
       
Weighted
         
Weighted
 
       
Average
 
Weighted Average
     
Average
 
   
Outstanding
 
Exercise
 
Remaining
 
Options
 
Exercise
 
Range of Option Exercise Price
 
Options
 
Price
 
Contractual Life
 
Exercisable
 
Price
 
     $1.50 - $4.69     2,584,801   $ 2.65  
7.96 years
    806,141   $ 2.80  
     $5.29 - $7.03     1,811,021     6.35  
5.68 years
    1,196,707     6.35  
     $7.16 - $9.56     1,062,648     7.87  
5.20 years
    995,316     7.90  
     $9.77 - $12.20     344,920     12.01  
1.93 years
    344,920     12.01  
     $16.50 - $20.25     246,667     17.92  
2.04 years
    246,667     17.92  
      6,050,057   $ 5.83  
6.21 years
    3,589,751   $ 7.32  


As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the exercisable portion of outstanding options was approximately 4.2 million shares and approximately 3.7 million shares, respectively.

Stock option activity for non-vested shares through December 31, 2009 is as follows:


       
Weighted
 
       
Average
 
       
Grant Date
 
   
Options
 
Fair Value
 
Balance, December 31, 2008
    1,614,718   $ 2.70  
    Granted
    1,918,600     1.71  
    Vested
    (640,973 )   2.56  
    Exercised
    (203,204 )   1.85  
    Forfeited and expired
    (228,835 )   2.31  
Balance, December 31, 2009
    2,460,306   $ 2.07  


As of December 31, 2009 there was $3.1 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested option grants.  That expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years.

As compensation expense for options granted is recorded over the requisite service period of options, future stock-based compensation expense may be greater as additional options are granted.

Restricted Stock

Under the 2008 Plan, stock grants subject solely to an employee’s or director’s continued service with the Company will not become fully vested less than (a) three years from the date of grant to employees and, in certain instances, may fully vest upon a change in control of the Company, and (b) one year from the date of grant for directors.  Stock grants subject to the achievement of performance conditions will not vest less than one year from the date of grant where the vesting of stock grants is subject to performance measures.  Such performance shares may vest after one year from grant.  No such time restrictions applied to stock grants made under the Company’s prior equity compensation plans.

The Company recognized compensation expense related to restricted stock awards of $1.2 million, $1.7 million and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Since the Company records compensation expense for restricted stock awards based on the vesting requirements, which generally includes time elapsed, market conditions and/or performance conditions, the weighted average period over which the expense is recognized varies. Also, future equity-based compensation expense may be greater if additional restricted stock awards are made.



Restricted stock award activity through December 31, 2009 is as follows:


       
Weighted Average
 
Weighted Average
   
Restricted
 
Award
 
Remaining
   
Stock
 
Date Fair Value
 
Recognition Period
Balance December 31, 2008
    713,637   $ 4.24  
1.5 years
    Granted
    257,860   $ 1.76    
    Awards Vested
    (132,455 ) $ 4.32    
    Canceled
    (93,282 ) $ 5.28    
Balance December 31, 2009
    745,760   $ 3.24  
1.1 years


As of December 31, 2009, there was $0.6 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock awards.  That expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.1 years. The total grant date fair market value of awards vested during the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $0.6 million, $1.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively.  The total intrinsic value of restricted stock awards vested during the years December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $0.5 million, $2.3 million and $3.9 million, respectively.

Performance Units

Under the 2008 Plan, the Compensation Committee may grant performance units to key employees. The Compensation Committee will establish the terms and conditions of any performance units granted, including the performance goals, the performance period and the value for each performance unit. If the performance goals are satisfied, the Company would pay the key employee an amount in cash equal to the value of each performance unit at the time of payment. In no event may a key employee receive an amount in excess of $1.0 million with respect to performance units for any given year. To date, no performance units have been granted under the 2008 Plan.

NOTE 12 — DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLANS

The Company maintains a deferred compensation plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the Plan, employees may elect to defer up to 50% of their salary, subject to Internal Revenue Service limits. The Company may make a discretionary matching contribution. The Company recorded matching contributions in selling, general and administrative expenses of $1.1 million, $0.9 million and $1.0 million in the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

In 2008 the Company entered into a deferred compensation agreement with its Chief Executive Officer to provide certain retirement benefits.  These benefits are earned over the period of his employment contract.  The Company recorded $0.5 million and $0.3 million of compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.



NOTE 13 — SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

A summary of quarterly financial information for fiscal 2009 and 2008 is as follows (in thousands except per share data):


   
First Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
Third Quarter
 
Fourth Quarter
 
2009:
                 
    Revenue
  $ 325,749   $ 328,749   $ 333,476   $ 341,551  
    Gross profit
  $ 35,990   $ 38,388   $ 41,496   $ 41,948  
    Net income (1)
  $ 3,285   $ 4,377   $ 5,747   $ 40,690  
    Basic income per share
  $ 0.08   $ 0.11   $ 0.15   $ 1.03  
    Diluted income per share
  $ 0.08   $ 0.11   $ 0.14   $ 0.99  
2008:
                         
    Revenue
  $ 327,471   $ 348,440   $ 359,427   $ 366,573  
    Gross profit
  $ 32,372   $ 35,726   $ 36,081   $ 37,991  
    Net (loss) income (2)
  $ (477 ) $ 1,619   $ 1,410   $ (76,584 )
    Basic (loss) income per share
  $ (0.01 ) $ 0.04   $ 0.04   $ (1.98 )
    Diluted (loss) income per share
  $ (0.01 ) $ 0.04   $ 0.04   $ (1.98 )
__________________________
(1)
The fourth quarter of 2009 includes $41.8 million tax benefit due primarily to the reversal of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets, the expiration of statute of limitation on certain state liabilities and an NOL carry back claim.
(2)
The fourth quarter of 2008 includes $93.9 million goodwill and intangible impairment.


NOTE 14 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Pending Acquisition

On January 24, 2010, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger to acquire Critical Homecare Solutions Holdings, Inc. (“CHS”).  CHS is a privately held company that is a leading provider of home infusion and home nursing services and products to patients suffering from chronic and acute medical conditions.  Completion of the acquisition is subject to stockholders approval of the issuance of additional shares of the Company’s common stock to CHS stockholders and satisfaction of certain other customary conditions.  The acquisition is expected to close on or about March 31, 2010.

If the merger is completed, the Company will:

 
·
Repay the net indebtedness of CHS, which is approximately $132.0 million at December 31, 2009, and enter into a new credit facility;

 
·
Pay cash consideration of $110.0 million, subject to adjustment;

 
·
Issue up to approximately 12.9 million shares of BioScrip common stock, subject to adjustment, of which 2,696,516 shares initially will be held in escrow to fund indemnification payments, if any; and

 
·
Issue warrants to acquire approximately 3.4 million shares of BioScrip common stock, exercisable at $10.00 per share and having a five-year term.

In order to fund the payment of the cash consideration required to be paid for the acquisition of CHS, refinance the Company's existing indebtedness and repay the existing indebtedness of CHS, the Company has entered into a commitment letter with Jefferies, pursuant to which Jefferies has committed to provide BioScrip with $375.0 million in debt financing, comprised of $150.0 million senior credit facilities and $225.0 million in other indebtedness.




None.


Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls. This evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”). Disclosure controls are controls and procedures (as defined in the Exchange Act Rules 13d-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) designed to reasonably assure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this Annual Report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls are also designed to reasonably assure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

The evaluation of our disclosure controls included a review of the controls objectives and design, our implementation of the controls and the effect of the controls on the information generated for use in this Annual Report. Based upon the controls evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls as of December 31, 2009 were effective.

Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, our CEO and CFO, and effected by our Board, management, and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

 
Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the Company’s financial transactions;

 
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that our revenues and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and

 
Provide reasonable assurance regarding the prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements.

Management assessed our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, the end of our fiscal year. Management based its assessment on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Management’s assessment included an evaluation of such elements as the design and operating effectiveness of key financial reporting controls, process documentation, accounting policies, and our overall control environment.

Based on management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting our management believes that as of December 31, 2009, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.  Our independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, has issued an attestation report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting which is included herein.

Inherent Limitations on Control Systems

Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, will be or have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


The Board of Directors and Stockholders
BioScrip, Inc.

We have audited BioScrip, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). BioScrip, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, BioScrip, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of BioScrip, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009 of BioScrip, Inc. and our report dated March 2, 2010, expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Minneapolis, Minnesota
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
March 2, 2010
 





None.


Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
      The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information contained in our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the SEC on or before April 30, 2010 in connection with our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
   
Executive Compensation
      The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information contained in our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the SEC on or before April 30, 2010 in connection with our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
   
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
      The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information contained in our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the SEC on or before April 30, 2010 in connection with our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
   
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
      The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information contained in our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the SEC on or before April 30, 2010 in connection with our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
   
Item 14.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services
      The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the information contained in our definitive proxy statement to be filed with the SEC on or before April 30, 2010 in connection with our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.


 
   
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K


All other schedules not listed above have been omitted since they are not applicable or are not required.




Exhibit Number
 
Description
                    
 
           Location    
 
2.1
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 9, 2004, among MIM Corporation, Chronimed Acquisition Corp. and Chronimed Inc.
 
 
(1) (Exhibit 99.2)
 
2.2
Amendment No. 1 dated January 3, 2005 to Agreement and Plan of Merger dated August 9, 2004 by and among MIM Corporation, Chronimed Acquisition Corp. and Chronimed Inc.
 
(2) (Exhibit 10.1)  
2.3
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 24, 2010, by and among BioScrip, Inc., Camelot Acquisition Corp., Critical Homecare Solutions Holdings, Inc., Kohlberg Investors V, L.P., Kohlberg Partners V, L.P., Kohlberg Offshore Investors V, L.P., Kohlberg TE Investors V, L.P., KOCO Investors V, L.P., Robert Cucuel, Mary Jane Graves, Nitin Patel, Joey Ryan, Blackstone Mezzanine Partners II L.P., Blackstone Mezzanine Holdings II L.P., and S.A.C. Domestic Capital Funding, Ltd.
 
(3) (Exhibit 2.1)  
3.1
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
 
(4) (Exhibit 4.1)  
3.2
Amended and Restated By-Laws.
 
(5) (Exhibit 3.1)
 
4.1
Specimen Common Stock Certificate.
 
(6) (Exhibit 4.1)
 
4.2
Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of December 3, 2002 between the Company and American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, as Rights Agent.
 
(7) (Exhibit 4.2)
 
4.3
First Amendment, dated December 13, 2006, to the Amended and Restated Rights Agreement, dated as of December 3, 2002 (the “Rights Agreement”), between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent.
 
(8) (Exhibit 4.3)
 
4.4
Second Amendment, dated March 4, 2009, to the Rights Agreement, as amended on December 13, 2006, between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as Rights Agent.
 
(9) (Exhibit 4.4)
 
4.5
Third Amendment, dated as of January 24, 2010, to the Rights Agreement, as amended on December 13, 2006 and March 4, 2009, between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company LLC, as Rights Agent, as amended on December 13, 2006 and March 4, 2009.
 
(3) (Exhibit 4.1)
 
10.1
Amended and Restated 1996 Incentive Stock Plan**
 
(10)
 
10.2
Amended and Restated 1996 Non-Employee Director’s Stock Incentive Plan**
 
(11)  
10.3
Amended and Restated 2001 Incentive Stock Plan**
 
(12)  
10.4
2008 Equity Incentive Plan**
 
(13)  
10.5
Employment Letter, dated October 15, 2001, between the Company and Russell J. Corvese**
 
(13) (Exhibit 10.51)
 
10.6
Amendment, dated September 19, 2003, to Employment Letter Agreement between the Company and Russel J. Corvese**
 
(14) (Exhibit 10.46)
 
10.7
Amendment, dated December 1, 2004, to Employment Letter Agreement between the Company and Russel J. Corvese**
 
(15) (Exhibit 10.1)
 
10.8
Separation Agreement between BioScrip, Inc. and Henry F. Blissenbach**
 
(16) (Exhibit 99.1)
 
10.9
Severance Letter Agreement, dated August 17, 2006, between the Company and Brian Reagan**
 
(17) (Exhibit 10.1)
 
10.10
Severance Agreement, dated August 24, 2006, between BioScrip, Inc. and Barry A. Posner**
 
(18) (Exhibit 10.1)
 
 
 
10.11 Severance Agreement, dated August 2, 2007 between BioScrip, Inc. and Stanley G. Rosenbaum**   (19) (Exhibit 10.1)  
10.12
Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2007, among MIM Funding, LLC, BioScrip Pharmacy Services, Inc., BioScrip Infusion Services, Inc., BioScrip Pharmacy (NY), Inc., BioScrip PBM Services, LLC, BioScrip Pharmacy, Inc., Natural Living, Inc., and BioScrip Infusion Services, LLC as Borrowers, and HFG Healthco-4 LLC, as Lender
 
(20) (Exhibit 10.15)
 
10.13
Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2007 among BioScrip, Inc., Chronimed Inc., MIM Funding, LLC, BioScrip Pharmacy Services, Inc., BioScrip Infusion Services, Inc., BioScrip Pharmacy (NY), Inc., BioScrip PBM Services, LLC, BioScrip Pharmacy, Inc., Natural Living, Inc., and BioScrip Infusion Services, LLC, and HFG Healthco-4 LLC,
 
 
(21) (Exhibit 10.16)
 
10.14
Amended and Restated Guaranty, effective as of October 1, 2007, by BioScrip, Inc. and Chronimed, Inc. in favor of HFG Healthco-4 LLC
 
 
(21) (Exhibit 10.17)
 
10.15
Refinancing Arrangements Agreement among BioScrip Pharmacy Services, Inc., BioScrip Infusion Services, Inc., BioScrip Pharmacy (NY), Inc., BioScrip PBM Services, LLC, BioScrip Pharmacy, Inc., Natural Living, Inc., BioScrip Infusion Services, LLC and MIM Funding, LLC
 
 
(21) (Exhibit 10.18)
 
10.16
First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2007, among, MIM Funding, LLC, BioScrip Pharmacy Services, Inc., BioScrip Infusion Services, Inc., BioScrip Pharmacy (NY), Inc., BioScrip PBM Services, LLC, BioScrip Pharmacy, Inc., Natural Living, Inc., and BioScrip Infusion Services, LLC as Borrowers, and HFG Healthco-4 LLC, as Lender.
 
(22) (Exhibit 10.1)
 
10.17
Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2007, among, MIM Funding, LLC, BioScrip Pharmacy Services, Inc., BioScrip Infusion Services, Inc., BioScrip Pharmacy (NY), Inc., BioScrip PBM Services, LLC, BioScrip Pharmacy, Inc., Natural Living, Inc., and BioScrip Infusion Services, LLC as Borrowers, and HFG Healthco-4 LLC, as Lender.
 
(23) (Exhibit 10.1)
 
10.18
Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2007, among, MIM Funding, LLC, BioScrip Pharmacy Services, Inc., BioScrip Infusion Services, Inc., BioScrip Pharmacy (NY), Inc., BioScrip PBM Services, LLC, BioScrip Pharmacy, Inc., Natural Living, Inc., and BioScrip Infusion Services, LLC as Borrowers, and HFG Healthco-4 LLC, as Lender.
 
(24) (Exhibit 10.1)
 
10.19
Employment Agreement dated May 30, 2008, by and between BioScrip, Inc. and Richard H. Friedman.**
 
(25) (Exhibit 10.1)
 
10.20
Employment Letter Agreement dated November 13, 2008 between BioScrip, Inc. and Richard M. Smith.**
 
(26) (Exhibit 10.1)
 
10.21
Severance Agreement dated November 13, 2008 between BioScrip, Inc. and Richard M. Smith.**
 
(26) (Exhibit 10.2)
 
10.22
Amendment No. 1 to Severance Agreement between BioScrip, Inc. and Stanley G. Rosenbaum.**
 
(27)
 
10.23
Amendment No. 1 to Severance Agreement between BioScrip, Inc. and Barry A. Posner.**
 
(27)
 
10.24
 
(28) (Exhibit 10.1)
 
10.25
Cash Collateral Agreement dated July 8, 2009.
 
(28) (Exhibit 10.2)
 
10.26
Employment Letter Agreement, dated August 21, 2003, between MIM Corporation (now BioScrip, Inc.) and Scott Friedman.**
 
 
(29) (Exhibit 10.1)
 
10.27
Amendment, dated October 14, 2004, to Employment Letter Agreement between MIM Corporation (now BioScrip, Inc.) and Scott Friedman.**
 
 
(29) (Exhibit 10.2)
 
10.28
Prime Vendor Agreement dated as of July 1, 2009 between AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation and the Company.
 
 
(30) (Exhibit 10.1)
 
10.29
Fourth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of September 26, 2007, among, MIM Funding, LLC, BioScrip Pharmacy Services, Inc., BioScrip Infusion Services, Inc., BioScrip Pharmacy (NY), Inc., BioScrip PBM Services, LLC, BioScrip Pharmacy, Inc., Natural Living, Inc., and BioScrip Infusion Services, LLC as Borrowers, and HFG Healthco-4 LLC, as Lender.
 
(31) (Exhibit 10.1)
 
10.30
Stockholders’ Agreement, dated as of January 24, 2010, by and among BioScrip, Inc., Kohlberg Investors V, L.P., Kohlberg Partners V, L.P., Kohlberg Offshore Investors V, L.P., Kohlberg TE Investors V, L.P., KOCO Investors V, L.P., Robert Cucuel, Mary Jane Graves, Nitin Patel, Joey Ryan, Colleen Lederer, Blackstone Mezzanine Partners II L.P., Blackstone Mezzanine Holdings II L.P., and S.A.C. Domestic Capital Funding, Ltd.
 
(3) (Exhibit 10.1)
 
21.1
List of Subsidiaries.
 
*
 
23.1
Consent of Ernst and Young LLP.
 
*
 
31.1
Certification of Richard H. Friedman pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
*
 
31.2
Certification of Stanley G. Rosenbaum pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
*
 
32.1
Certification of Richard H. Friedman pursuant to 18 U.S. C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
*
 
32.2
Certification of Stanley G. Rosenbaum pursuant to 18 U.S. C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
*
 
 

 
(1)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 9, 2004., SEC Accession No. 0001089355-04-000197.
(2)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 5, 2005, SEC Accession No. 0001014739-05-000007.
(3)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 27, 2010, SEC Accession No. 0000950123-10-005446.
(4)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 17, 2005, SEC Accession No. 0000950123-05-003294.
(5)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 30, 2009,  SEC Accession no. 0001014739-09-000029.
(6)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 filed with the SEC on March 31, 2006,  SEC Accession no. 0000950123-06-004022.
(7)
Incorporated by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Company’s form 8-A/A dated December 4, 2002.
(8)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 14, 2006, SEC Accession No. 0000950123-06-0155184.
(9)
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 4, 2009, Accession No. 0001014739-09-000006.
(10)
Incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 1999 annual meeting of stockholders filed with the Commission July 7, 1999.
(11)
Incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2002 annual meeting of stockholders filed with the Commission April 30, 2002.
(12)
Incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2003 annual meeting of stockholders filed with the Commission April 30, 2003.
(13)
Incorporated by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its 2008 annual meeting of stockholders filed with the Commission March 21, 2008.
(14)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, SEC Accession No. 0001089355-02-000248.
(14)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Annual  Report on Form 10-K filed on for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003, filed March 15, 2004, SEC Accession No. 001014739-04-000021.
(16)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 1, 2004, SEC Accession No. 0001014739-04-000082.
(17)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 1, 2006, SEC Accession No. 0000950123-06-002440.
(18)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 21, 2006, SEC Accession No. 0000950123-06-010723.
(19)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 25, 2006, SEC Accession No. 0000950123-06-010904.
(20)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 3, 2007, SEC Accession No. 0000950123-07-010803.
(21)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Annual  Report on Form 10-K filed on for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, filed March 7, 2008, SEC Accession No. 0000950123-08-002707.
(22)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, SEC Accession No. 0000950123-08-005203.
(23)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 4, 2008, SEC Accession No. 0000950123-08-010551.
(24)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 14, 2008, SEC Accession No. 0000950123-08-009594.
(25)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 3, 2008, SEC Accession No. 0000950123-08-006507.
(26)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 24, 2008 SEC Accession No. 0000950123-08-016150.
(27)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 20, 2009 SEC Accession No. 0000950123-09-000854.
(28)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 9, 2009 SEC Accession No. 0001014739-09-000023.
(29)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, SEC Accession No. 0001014739-09-000031.
(30)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Amended Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, SEC Accession No. 0001014739-09-000048.
(31)
Incorporated by reference to the indicated exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 31, 2009 SEC Accession No. 0001014739-09-000050.

*           Filed with this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
**          Designate the Company’s management contracts or compensatory plan or arrangement to be filed herewith.







Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on March 2, 2010.

 
   BIOSCRIP INC.
   
   /s/  Stanley G. Rosenbaum
 
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer,
  Principal Accounting Officer and
 
Principal Financial Officer
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature
Title(s)
Date
/s/ Richard H. Friedman                                                           
Richard H. Friedman
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
March 2, 2010
     
/s/ Stanley G. Rosenbaum                                                           
Stanley G. Rosenbaum
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
March 2, 2010
     
/s/ Richard M. Smith                                                           
Richard M. Smith
President and Chief Operating Officer
Director
March 2, 2010
     
/s/ Charlotte W. Collins                                                           
Charlotte W. Collins
Director
March 2, 2010
     
/s/ Louis T. DiFazio                                                           
Louis T. DiFazio, Ph.D.
Director
March 2, 2010
     
/s/ Myron Z. Holubiak                                                          
Myron Z. Holubiak
Director
March 2, 2010
     
/s/ David R. Hubers                                                           
David R. Hubers
Director
March 2, 2010
     
/s/ Richard L. Robbins                                                           
Richard L. Robbins
Director
March 2, 2010
     
/s/ Stuart A. Samuels                                                           
Stuart A. Samuels
Director
March 2, 2010
     



Bioscrip, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(in thousands)

 
 

   
Balance at
 
Write-Off
 
Charged to
     
   
Beginning of
 
of
 
Costs
 
Balance at
 
   
Period
 
Receivables
 
and Expenses
 
End of Period
 
Year ended December 31, 2007
                 
    Accounts receivable
  $ 13,774   $ (6,810 ) $ 5,119   $ 12,083  
Year ended December 31, 2008
                         
    Accounts receivable
  $ 12,083   $ (5,121 ) $ 4,667   $ 11,629  
Year ended December 31, 2009
                         
    Accounts receivable
  $ 11,629   $ (8,761 ) $ 8,636   $ 11,504  



EXHIBIT INDEX
 
(Exhibits being filed with this Annual Report on Form 10-K)