CHICAGO, May 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GoHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ:GOCO) ("GoHealth" or the "Company"), a leading health insurance marketplace and Medicare-focused digital health company, today announced financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2024. First Quarter Highlights First quarter 2024 net revenues of $185.6 million, a slight increase compared to $183.2 million in the prior year period. First quarter 2024 Submissions of 216,148, a 2,503 increase compared to 213,645 Submissions in the prior year period. First quarter 2024 net loss of $21.3 million, an improvement of $1.2 million compared to $22.5 million in the prior year period. First quarter 2024 Adjusted EBITDA(1) of $26.9 million, a decrease of $1.9 million compared to $28.8 million in the prior year period. First quarter 2024 trailing twelve months ("TTM") cash flow from operations was $101.2 million, compared to TTM cash flow from operations of $26.9 million in the prior year period. Regulatory Updates We are gaining insight into the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ("CMS") Final 2025 Marketing Rule and are confident that the CMS guidelines align with our Encompass model and our strategic plans. Based on health plans' reactions to the CMS Final 2025 Rate Notice we expect greater demand for the GoHealth personalized Encompass shopping and enrollment experience this fall. "Our first quarter results exceeded our expectations and highlight our team's ability to be innovative and resilient amongst market conditions. The proactive work we have done to drive consumer centricity has been instrumental in our ability to navigate the ever-evolving regulatory landscape. Our model is aligned with CMS's intentions to protect consumers, and the work we have done has prepared us well for the current regulations and those likely to come," said Vijay Kotte, CEO of GoHealth. "Looking ahead, we remain committed to leveraging our insights and technology to further improve the healthcare journey for consumers, ensuring they have the support they need to make informed decisions." "While we realize that rewarding agents for doing the right thing may not maximize revenue in the short term, we stand by our belief that PlanFit is an investment in the consumer that will pay off long-term," said Jason Schulz, CFO of GoHealth. "This alignment of improved financial outcomes with our consumer-first philosophy supports our strategic direction. We remain committed to leveraging technology for better healthcare decisions, as we are poised to drive both sustained profitability and positive consumer impact in the years to come. (1) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure. For a definition of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation to the most comparable GAAP measure, please see below. Conference Call Details The Company will host a conference call today, Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. (ET) to discuss its financial results. Participants can pre-register for the conference call at the following link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BI3893cf432a644987bbaaed690971a174. A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available via GoHealth's Investor Relations website, https://investors.gohealth.com/. A replay of the call will be available via webcast for on-demand listening shortly after the completion of the call. About GoHealth, Inc. GoHealth is a leading health insurance marketplace and Medicare-focused digital health company whose purpose is to compassionately ensure consumers' peace of mind when making healthcare decisions so they can focus on living life. For many of these consumers, enrolling in a health insurance plan is confusing and difficult, and seemingly small differences between health plans may lead to significant out-of-pocket costs or lack of access to critical providers and medicines. GoHealth's proprietary technology platform leverages modern machine-learning algorithms, powered by over two decades of insurance purchasing behavior, to reimagine the process of matching a health plan to a consumer's specific needs. Its unbiased, technology-driven marketplace coupled with highly skilled licensed agents has facilitated the enrollment of millions of consumers in Medicare plans since GoHealth's inception. For more information, visit https://www.gohealth.com. Investor Relations:John Media Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, (the "Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). These forward-looking statements are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release may be forward-looking statements. Statements regarding our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, including, among others, statements regarding our expected growth, future capital expenditures and debt service obligations, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "aims," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "could," "intends," "targets," "projects," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "likely," "future" or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this press release are only predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions. Accordingly, we caution you that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, assumptions and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable as of the date made, actual results may prove to be materially different from the results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release and are subject to a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including the factors described in the sections titled "Summary Risk Factors," "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 ("2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K") and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The factors described in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with the other cautionary statements included in this press release, as well as the cautionary statements and other risk factors set forth in the forthcoming Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should read this press release and the documents that we reference in this press release completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements. Except as required by applicable law, we do not plan to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, whether as a result of any new information, future events, changed circumstances or otherwise. Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators In this press release we use supplemental measures of our performance that are derived from our consolidated financial information, but which are not presented in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures include net income (loss) before interest expense, income tax (benefit) expense and depreciation and amortization expense, or EBITDA; Adjusted EBITDA; Cash Adjusted EBITDA; Adjusted EBITDA margin; Sales per Submission; Cost per Submission and Adjusted Gross Margin per Submission. Adjusted EBITDA is the primary financial performance measure used by management to evaluate the business and monitor the results of operations. Cash Adjusted EBITDA is used by management to assess Adjusted EBITDA excluding the effect of LTV estimates period over period. Sales per Submission, Cost per Submission and Adjusted Gross Margin per Submission are key operating metrics used by management to understand the Company's underlying financial performance and trends. Additional non-GAAP financial measures, including net revenues excluding the Lookback Adjustments, Adjusted EBITDA excluding the Lookback Adjustments, net revenues excluding both the Non-Encompass BPO Services revenue and the Lookback Adjustments and Adjusted EBITDA excluding both the Non-Encompass BPO Services gross margin and the Lookback Adjustments, are also included in this presentation. The Lookback Adjustments are revenue adjustments that represent changes in estimates relating to performance obligations satisfied in prior periods and relate to fiscal years 2021 and prior. Adjusted EBITDA represents, as applicable for the period, EBITDA as further adjusted for certain items summarized in the table below. Adjusted EBITDA margin represents Adjusted EBITDA divided by net revenues. Cash Adjusted EBITDA represents Adjusted EBITDA plus a decrease or less an increase in the period over period change in our net contract assets. Sales per Submission represents Medicare Revenue per Submission as further adjusted for certain items summarized in the table furnished below in this press release. Cost per Submission represents Operating Expense per Submission as further adjusted for certain items summarized in the table furnished below in this press release. Adjusted Gross Margin represents Sales per Submission less Cost per Submission. We use non-GAAP financial measures to supplement financial information presented on a GAAP basis. We believe that excluding certain items from our GAAP results allows management to better understand our consolidated financial performance from period to period and better project our future consolidated financial performance as forecasts are developed at a level of detail different from that used to prepare GAAP-based financial measures. Moreover, we believe these non-GAAP financial measures provide our stakeholders with useful information to help them evaluate our operating results by facilitating an enhanced understanding of our operating performance and enabling them to make more meaningful period to period comparisons. Adjusted EBITDA is used as a basis for certain compensation programs sponsored by the Company. There are limitations to the use of the non-GAAP financial measures presented in this press release. For example, our non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate non-GAAP financial measures differently than we do, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes. The non-GAAP financial measures are not meant to be considered as indicators of performance in isolation from or as a substitute for the most directly comparable measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, and should be read only in conjunction with financial information presented on a GAAP basis. Reconciliations of each of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Cash Adjusted EBITDA, Sales per Submission, Cost per Submission and Adjusted Gross Margin per Submission to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, are presented in the tables furnished below in this press release. We encourage you to review the reconciliations in conjunction with the presentation of the non-GAAP financial measures for each of the periods presented. In future periods, we may exclude similar items, may incur income and expenses similar to these excluded items and may include other expenses, costs and non-routine items. Key Terms and Performance Indicators; Non-GAAP Financial Measures Throughout this press release, we use a number of key terms and provide a number of key performance indicators used by management. We define these terms and key performance indicators as follows: "Adjusted EBITDA" represents, as applicable for the period, EBITDA as further adjusted for certain items summarized below in this press release. "Adjusted EBITDA Margin" refers to Adjusted EBITDA divided by net revenues. "Adjusted Gross Margin per Submission" refers to Sales per Submission less Cost per Submission. "Cash Adjusted EBITDA" refers to Adjusted EBITDA plus a decrease or less an increase in the period over period change in our net contract assets. "Cost of Submission" refers to the aggregate cost to convert prospects into Submissions during a particular period. Cost of Submission is comprised of revenue share, marketing and advertising expenses and consumer care and enrollment expenses, excluding share-based compensation expense, the impact of revenue adjustments recorded in the period, but relating to performance obligations satisfied in prior periods and such expenses related to Non-Encompass BPO Services. "Cost per Submission" refers to (x) the aggregate cost to convert prospects into Submissions for a particular period (comprised of revenue share, marketing and advertising expenses and consumer care and enrollment expenses, excluding share-based compensation expense and such expenses related to Non-Encompass BPO Services) divided by (y) the number of Submissions for such period. "EBITDA" represents net income (loss) before interest expense, income tax expense (benefit) and depreciation and amortization expense. "LTV" refers to the Lifetime Value of Commissions, which we define as aggregate commissions estimated to be collected over the estimated life of all commissionable Submissions for the relevant period based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, contracted commission rates, health plan partner mix and expected policy persistency with applied constraints. "Non-Encompass BPO Services" refer to programs in which GoHealth-employed agents are dedicated to certain health plans and agencies we partner with outside of the Encompass operating model. "Sales per Submission" refers to (x) the sum of (i) aggregate commissions estimated to be collected over the estimated life of all commissionable Submissions for the relevant period based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, contracted commission rates, health plan partner mix and expected policy persistency with applied constraints, excluding revenue adjustments recorded in the period, but relating to performance obligations satisfied in prior periods, (ii) non-agency revenue, and (iii) partner marketing and other revenue, divided by (y) the number of Submissions for such period. "Sales/Cost of Submission" refers to (x) the sum of (i) aggregate commissions estimated to be collected over the estimated life of all commissionable Submissions for the relevant period based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, contracted commission rates, health plan partner mix and expected policy persistency with applied constraints, excluding revenue adjustments recorded in the period, but relating to performance obligations satisfied in prior periods, (ii) non-agency revenue and (iii) partner marketing and other revenue, divided by (y) the aggregate cost to convert prospects into Submissions (comprised of revenue share, marketing and advertising expenses and consumer care and enrollment expenses, excluding share-based compensation expense) for such period. Sales and Cost of Submission exclude amounts related to Non-Encompass BPO Services. "Submission" refers to either (i) a completed application with our licensed agent that is submitted to the health plan partner and subsequently approved by the health plan partner during the indicated period, excluding applications through our Non-Encompass BPO Services or (ii) a transfer by our agent to the health plan partner through the Encompass operating model during the indicated period. The following tables set forth the components of our results of operations for the periods indicated (unaudited):     Three months ended Mar. 31,               2024       2023           (in thousands, except percentages and per share amounts)   Dollars   % of Net Revenues   Dollars   % of Net Revenues   $ Change   % Change Net revenues   $ 185,600     100.0 %   $ 183,158     100.0 %   $ 2,442     1.3 % Operating expenses:                         Revenue share     38,013     20.5 %     45,462     24.8 %     (7,449 )   (16.4 )% Marketing and advertising     52,775     28.4 %     45,743     25.0 %     7,032     15.4 % Consumer care and enrollment     47,861     25.8 %     42,027     22.9 %     5,834     13.9 % Technology     10,550     5.7 %     9,543     5.2 %     1,007     10.6 % General and administrative     16,919     9.1 %     22,618     12.3 %     (5,699 )   (25.2 )% Amortization of intangible assets     23,514     12.7 %     23,514     12.8 %     —     — % Total operating expenses     189,632     102.2 %     188,907     103.1 %     725     0.4 % Income (loss) from operations     (4,032 )   (2.2 )%     (5,749 )   (3.1 )%     1,717     (29.9 )% Interest expense     17,951     9.7 %     16,891     9.2 %     1,060     6.3 % Other (income) expense, net     (566 )   (0.3 )%     (53 )   — %     (513 )   967.9 % Income (loss) before income taxes     (21,417 )   (11.5 )%     (22,587 )   (12.3 )%     1,170     (5.2 )% Income tax (benefit) expense     (71 )   — %     (44 )   — %     (27 )   61.4 % Net income (loss)   $ (21,346 )   (11.5 )%   $ (22,543 )   (12.3 )%   $ 1,197     (5.3 )% Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests     (12,130 )   (6.5 )%     (13,364 )   (7.3 )%     1,234     (9.2 )% Net income (loss) attributable to GoHealth, Inc.   $ (9,216 )   (5.0 )%   $ (9,179 )   (5.0 )%   $ (37 )   0.4 % Net income (loss) per share: