Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

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Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Accounting Estimates
 
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported 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.  Management's estimates are based on historical experience, facts and circumstances available at the time, and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Significant estimates include accounting for business combinations, valuation allowances related to deferred income taxes, self-insurance loss accruals, allowances for doubtful accounts and notes, revenue recognition, income tax accruals, asset impairments and facilities realignment accruals.  The Company periodically reviews these matters and reflects changes in estimates as appropriate.  Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Cash and cash equivalents include unrestricted cash accounts, money market investments and highly liquid investment instruments with original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase.
Discontinued Operations, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Discontinued Operations

The Company accounts for business dispositions and its businesses held for sale in accordance with ASC 205-20, Discontinued Operations. ASC 205-20 requires the results of operations of business dispositions to be segregated from continuing operations and reflected as discontinued operations in current and prior periods. See Note 4, Discontinued Operations for further information
Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Loans and Investments in Privately Held Entities
 
From time-to-time, the Company makes investments in and/or loans to privately-held companies.  The Company determines whether the fair values of any investments in privately held entities have declined below their carrying value whenever adverse events or changes in circumstances indicate that recorded values may not be recoverable.  If the Company considers any such decline to be other than temporary (based on various factors, including historical financial results, asset quality and the overall health of the investee’s industry), a write-down to estimated fair value is recorded.  As of December 31, 2013, the Company had an investment in a privately held non-controlled entity of $1.5 million accounted for in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 325-20 Investments Other - Cost Method Investments. In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company identified events that have had an adverse effect on the fair value of this cost-method investment and recorded a charge within continuing operations.

On a quarterly basis, the Company reviews outstanding loans receivable to determine if a provision for doubtful notes is necessary.  These reviews include discussions with senior management of the investee, and evaluations of, among other things, the investee’s progress against its business plan, its product development activities and customer base, industry market conditions, historical and projected financial performance, expected cash needs and recent funding events.  Subsequent cash receipts on the outstanding interest are applied against the outstanding interest receivable balance and the corresponding allowance.  As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company had a loan receivable balance of $1.3 million, with a third party, respectively, which was fully reserved for.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.  Depreciation and amortization is recognized on a straight-line basis, using the estimated useful lives of: seven to ten years for furniture and fixtures; two to five years for office and computer equipment; five to seven years for lab equipment; and leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated service lives or the terms of the related leases which are currently four to five years.  Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred.  Upon disposition, the asset and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the related accounts and any gains or losses are reflected in operations.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Goodwill
 
The Company allocates the cost of acquired companies to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the remaining amount classified as goodwill.  Since the entities the Company has acquired do not have significant tangible assets, a significant portion of the purchase price has been allocated to intangible assets and goodwill.  The identification and valuation of these intangible assets and the determination of the estimated useful lives at the time of acquisition, as well as the completion of impairment tests require significant management judgments and estimates.  These estimates are made based on, among other factors, reviews of projected future operating results and business plans, economic projections, anticipated highest and best use of future cash flows and the market participant cost of capital.  The use of alternative estimates and assumptions could increase or decrease the estimated fair value of goodwill and other intangible assets, and potentially result in a different impact to the Company’s results of operations.  Further, changes in business strategy and/or market conditions may significantly impact these judgments and thereby impact the fair value of these assets, which could result in an impairment of the goodwill or intangible assets.
 
The Company tests its goodwill for impairment at least annually (as of December 31) and whenever events or circumstances change that indicate impairment may have occurred.  A significant amount of judgment is involved in determining if an indicator of impairment has occurred. Such indicators may include, among others: a significant decline in its expected future cash flows; a sustained, significant decline in its stock price and market capitalization; a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate; unanticipated competition; and slower growth rates. Any adverse change in these factors could have a significant impact on the recoverability of goodwill and its consolidated financial results. If the Company's projected long-term sales growth rate, profit margins, or terminal rate change, or the assumed weighted-average cost of capital is considerably higher, future testing may indicate impairment in this reporting unit and, as a result, all or a portion of these assets may become impaired.
 
The Company tests its goodwill for impairment at the business (reporting) unit level. The Company has one reporting unit, which has goodwill. Prior to the sale of the Commercial Services business in December 2015, the Company had two reporting units, Commercial Services and Interpace Diagnostics. Effective December 31, 2015, the Company has one reporting unit and segment: the Company's molecular diagnostics business. The Company's current reporting segment structure is reflective of the way the Company's management views the business, makes operating decisions and assesses performance.

Step 1 of the Company's goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered impaired. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the amount of the impairment loss, if any, must be measured in a Step 2 Analysis. Under Step 1, the Company estimated the fair value of the reporting unit using a market capitalization approach with an implied control premium. The fair value of the reporting unit was less than the carrying amount of the reporting unit; as such, the Company failed Step 1 and proceeded to assess any impairment loss in Step 2.

In Step 2, the amount of the impairment loss, if any, is measured by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to that excess. The fair value of goodwill is valued in the same manner that goodwill is calculated in a business combination. The entity should allocate the fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the purchase price. The excess “purchase price” over the amounts assigned to assets and liabilities would be the implied fair value of goodwill. This allocation would be performed only for purposes of testing goodwill for impairment and entities would not record the “step-up” in net assets or any unrecognized intangible assets. The Company utilized a Market Approach to determine the Equity Value of the Company in order to calculate the total assets to be allocated. The Company assumed that all of the Company's assets and liabilities on the balance sheet approximated fair value, except for the Contingent Consideration liability and any identifiable intangible Assets. For the Contingent Consideration liability and identifiable intangible assets, the Company utilized the Multi-Period Excess Earnings Method (MPEEM) under the income approach to measure fair value. The key assumptions used in the model to determine the highest and best use of estimated future cash flows include revenue growth rates and profit margins based on internal forecasts and an estimate of a market participant's weighted-average cost of capital used to discount future cash flows to their present value. While the Company uses available information to prepare estimates and to perform impairment evaluations, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates or related projections, resulting in impairment related to recorded intangible asset balances.

During the Company's 2015 annual impairment test of goodwill, it was determined that the goodwill was impaired and the entire balance should be written off, mainly due to the decline in market capitalization and reduced forecast expectations. As a result the Company recognized an impairment loss of $15.7 million.

Intangible Assets, Finite-Lived, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Long-Lived Assets, including Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
 
Finite-lived intangible assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortization.  Amortization of finite-lived acquired intangible assets is recognized on a straight-line basis, using the estimated useful lives of the assets of approximately two years to nine years in acquisition related amortization expense in the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss.

The Company reviews the recoverability of long-lived assets and finite-lived intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable.  If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized by reducing the recorded value of the asset to its fair value measured by future discounted cash flows.  This analysis requires estimates of the amount and timing of projected cash flows and, where applicable, judgments associated with, among other factors, the appropriate discount rate.  Such estimates are critical in determining whether any impairment charge should be recorded and the amount of such charge if an impairment loss is deemed to be necessary. 

During 2015, as a result of the decline in market capitalization and other indicators, such as reduced forecast expectations, the Company reviewed the recoverability of long-lived assets and finite-lived intangible assets. The Company concluded that the carrying value of such assets were recoverable as of December 31, 2015, and no impairment of such assets was necessary. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $0.7 million of long-lived assets were impaired within loss from discontinued operations related to the disposition of Group DCA. See Note 9, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for further information.
Liability Reserve Estimate, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Self-Insurance Accruals
 
The Company is self-insured for benefits paid under employee healthcare programs.  The Company’s liability for healthcare claims is estimated using an underwriting determination which is based on the current year’s average lag days between when a claim is incurred and when it is paid.  The Company maintains stop-loss coverage with third-party insurers to limit its total exposure on all of these programs.  Periodically, the Company evaluates the level of insurance coverage and adjusts insurance levels based on risk tolerance and premium expense.  Management reviews the self-insurance accruals on a quarterly basis.  Actual results may vary from these estimates, resulting in an adjustment in the period of the change in estimate.  Prior to October 1, 2008, the Company was also self-insured for certain losses for claims filed and claims incurred but not reported relating to workers’ compensation and automobile-related liabilities for Company-leased cars.  Beginning October 1, 2008, the Company became fully-insured through an outside carrier for these losses.  The Company’s liability for claims filed and claims incurred but not reported prior to October 1, 2008 is estimated on an actuarial undiscounted basis supplied by our insurance brokers and insurers using individual case-based  valuations and statistical analysis. These estimates are based upon judgment and historical experience.  However, the final cost of many of these claims may not be known for five years or more after filing of the claim. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had no outstanding claims filed and claims incurred but not reported for self-insured automobile-related liabilities. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, self-insurance accruals totaled $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively, of which $0.1 million for both periods is included in other accrued expenses within continuing operations and $0.5 million and $0.4 million is in current liabilities from discontinued operations on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Contingencies
 
In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to various contingencies. Contingencies are recorded in the consolidated financial statements when it is probable that a liability will be incurred and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable, or otherwise disclosed, in accordance with ASC 450, Contingencies. Significant judgment is required in both the determination of probability and the determination as to whether a loss is reasonably estimable. In the event the Company determines that a loss is not probable, but is reasonably possible, and it becomes possible to develop what the Company believes to be a reasonable range of possible loss, then the Company will include disclosures related to such matter as appropriate and in compliance with ASC 450. To the extent there is a reasonable possibility that the losses could exceed the amounts already accrued, the Company will, when applicable, adjust the accrual in the period the determination is made, disclose an estimate of the additional loss or range of loss, indicate that the estimate is immaterial with respect to its financial statements as a whole or, if the amount of such adjustment cannot be reasonably estimated, disclose that an estimate cannot be made. The Company is currently involved in certain legal proceedings and, as required, the Company has accrued its estimate of the probable costs for the resolution of these claims. These estimates are developed in consultation with outside counsel and are based upon an analysis of potential results, assuming a combination of litigation and settlement strategies. Predicting the outcome of claims and litigation, and estimating related costs and exposures, involves substantial uncertainties that could cause actual costs to vary materially from estimates.

In connection with the October 31, 2014 acquisition of RedPath the Company assumed a liability for a January 2013 settlement agreement entered into by the former owners of RedPath with the United States Department of Justice, or DOJ. Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, the Company is obligated to make payments to the DOJ. These payments are due March 31st following the calendar year that the revenue milestones are achieved. The Company has been indemnified by the former owners of RedPath for a portion of the obligation and have recorded an indemnification asset and liability of that amount within other non-current assets and other long-term liabilities. See Note 12, Commitments and Contingencies for further information.
Revenue Recognition, Sales of Services [Policy Text Block]
Revenue and Cost of Services

The Company's revenue is generated using the Company's proprietary tests. The Company's performance obligation is fulfilled upon completion, review and release of test results and subsequently billing the third-party payor or hospital. The Company recognizes revenue related to billings for Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and hospitals on an accrual basis, net of contractual adjustment, when there is a predictable pattern of collectability. Contractual adjustments represent the difference between the list prices and the reimbursement rate set by Medicare and Medicare Advantage, or the amounts billed to hospitals, which approximates the Medicare rate. Upon ultimate collection, the amount received from Medicare, Medicare Advantage and hospitals with a predictable pattern of payment is compared to the previous estimates and the contractual allowance is adjusted, if necessary. Amounts not collected are charged to bad debt expense.

Until a contract has been negotiated with a commercial insurance carrier or governmental program, the services may or may not be covered by these entities existing reimbursement policies. In addition, the Company does not enter into direct agreements with patients that commit them to pay any portion of the cost of the tests in the event that insurance declines to reimburse us. In the absence of an agreement with the patient or other clearly enforceable legal right to demand payment, the related revenue is only recognized upon the earlier of payment notification or cash receipt. Accordingly, the Company recognizes revenue from commercial insurance carriers and governmental programs without a contract, when payment is received.

Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists and delivery is deemed to have occurred upon completion, review, and release of the test results by the Company and then subsequently billing the third-party payor or hospital. The assessment of the fixed or determinable nature of the fees charged for diagnostic testing performed, and the collectability of those fees, requires significant judgment by management. Management believes that these two criteria have been met when there is contracted reimbursement coverage or a predictable pattern of collectability with individual third-party payors or hospitals and accordingly, recognizes revenue upon delivery of the test results. In the absence of contracted reimbursement coverage or a predictable pattern of collectability, the Company believes that the fee is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured only upon request of third-party payor notification of payment or when cash is received, and recognizes revenue at that time.

Cost of services consists primarily of the costs associated with operating the Company's laboratories and other costs directly related to the Company's tests. Personnel costs, which constitute the largest portion of cost of services, include all labor related costs, such as salaries, bonuses, fringe benefits and payroll taxes for laboratory personnel. Other direct costs include, but are not limited to, laboratory supplies, certain consulting expenses, and facility expenses.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]
Stock-Based Compensation
 
The compensation cost associated with the granting of stock-based awards is based on the grant date fair value of the stock award.  The Company recognizes the compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, over the shorter of the vesting period or the period from the grant date to the date when retirement eligibility is achieved.  Forfeitures are initially estimated based on historical information and subsequently updated over the life of the awards to ultimately reflect actual forfeitures.  As a result, changes in forfeiture activity can influence the amount of stock compensation cost recognized from period to period.
 
The Company primarily uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock options and SARs. The determination of the fair value of stock-based payment awards is made on the date of grant and is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions made regarding a number of complex and subjective variables.  These assumptions include: expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards; actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors; the risk-free interest rate; and expected dividend yield. The fair value of restricted stock units, or RSUs, and restricted shares is equal to the closing stock price on the date of grant.
Lease, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Rent Expense
 
Minimum rental expenses are recognized over the term of the lease.  The Company recognizes minimum rent starting when possession of the property is taken from the landlord, which may include a construction period prior to occupancy.  When a lease contains a predetermined fixed escalation of the minimum rent, the Company recognizes the related rent expense on a straight-line basis and records the difference between the recognized rental expense and the amounts payable under the lease as a deferred rent liability.  The Company may also receive tenant allowances including cash or rent abatements, which are reflected in other accrued expenses and long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. These allowances are amortized as a reduction of rent expense over the term of the lease.  Certain leases provide for contingent rents that are not measurable at inception.  These contingent rents are primarily based upon use of utilities and the landlord’s operating expenses.  These amounts are excluded from minimum rent and are included in the determination of total rent expense when it is probable that the expense has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Income taxes
 
Income taxes are based on income for financial reporting purposes calculated using the Company’s expected annual effective rate and reflect a current tax liability or asset for the estimated taxes payable or recoverable on the current year tax return and expected annual changes in deferred taxes.  Any interest or penalties on income tax are recognized as a component of income tax expense.
 
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method.  This method requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for expected future tax consequences of temporary differences that currently exist between tax bases and financial reporting bases of the Company’s assets and liabilities based on enacted tax laws and rates.  Deferred tax expense (benefit) is the result of changes in the deferred tax asset and liability.  A valuation allowance is established, when necessary, to reduce the deferred income tax assets when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.
 
The Company operates in multiple tax jurisdictions and pays or provides for the payment of taxes in each jurisdiction where it conducts business and is subject to taxation.  The breadth of the Company’s operations and the complexity of the tax law require assessments of uncertainties and judgments in estimating the ultimate taxes the Company will pay.  The final taxes paid are dependent upon many factors, including negotiations with taxing authorities in various jurisdictions, outcomes of tax litigation and resolution of proposed assessments arising from federal and state audits.  Uncertain tax positions are recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than fifty percent) that a position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities that have full knowledge of all relevant information. A recognized tax position is then measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company adjusts accruals for unrecognized tax benefits as facts and circumstances change, such as the progress of a tax audit. The Company believes that any potential audit adjustments will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or liquidity. However, any adjustments made may be material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations or cash flows for a reporting period. Penalties and interest, if incurred, would be recorded as a component of current income tax expense.
 
Significant judgment is also required in evaluating the need for and magnitude of appropriate valuation allowances against deferred tax assets.  Deferred tax assets are regularly reviewed for recoverability.  The Company currently has significant deferred tax assets resulting from net operating loss carryforwards and deductible temporary differences, which should reduce taxable income in future periods, if generated.  The realization of these assets is dependent on generating future taxable income.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Loss) per Share
 
Basic earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year including any unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends.  Diluted earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by the sum of the weighted average number of shares outstanding and dilutive common shares under the treasury method. Unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid), are participating securities and are included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method.