Item 1A. Risk Factors
Risks Related to Our Industry and Business
We compete against companies that have longer operating histories and greater resources, which may result in reduced profit margins and loss of market share.
The respiratory care industry is highly competitive and dynamic and may become more competitive as new players enter the market. Certain competitors will be subsidiaries or divisions of larger, much better capitalized companies. Certain competitors will have vertically integrated manufacturing and services sectors of the market. We may have less capital and may encounter greater operational challenges in serving the market. Better capitalized competitors may also be able to borrow money or raise debt to purchase equipment more easily than us. Potential competitors could have significantly greater financial, research and development, manufacturing, and sales and marketing resources than we have and could utilize their greater resources to acquire or develop new technologies or products that could effectively compete with our existing products. Additionally, demand for our home monitoring services and other services could be diminished by equivalent or superior products and services developed by competitors. Competing in these markets could result in price-cutting, reduced profit margins and loss of market share, any of which would harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Reductions in reimbursement rates may have a materially adverse impact on the profitability of our operations.
Reimbursement for our services primarily comes from governmental healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, and private health insurance companies, and our ability to sell our products and services depends in large part on the extent to which coverage and adequate reimbursement for our products and services are and will continue to be available. The reimbursement rates offered are outside of our control. Reimbursement rates for our services, like much of the United States healthcare market, are subject to reductions. We cannot predict the extent and timing of any reduction in reimbursement rates and we cannot assure you that coverage and reimbursement will be available for our products or services, that reimbursement amounts will be adequate, or that reimbursement amounts, even if initially adequate, will not be subsequently reduced.
Reductions in reimbursement rates, if they occur, may have a material adverse impact on the profitability of our operations. A reduction in reimbursement without a concurrent decline in the cost of operations, may result in reduced profitability. Our costs of operations could increase, but we may be unable to pass on the cost increases to customers because reimbursement rates are set without regard to the cost of service, also resulting in reduced profitability.
Our reliance on only a few sources of reimbursement for our services could result in delays in reimbursement, which could adversely affect cash flow and revenues.
We earn revenues by seeking reimbursement for our products and services from governmental healthcare programs and private health insurance companies, primarily from the federal Medicare program. If the Medicare program were to slow payments of our receivables for any reason, we would be adversely impacted. In addition, both governmental healthcare programs and private health insurance companies may seek ways to avoid or delay reimbursement, which could adversely affect our cash flow and revenues.
A reduction or elimination of coverage or reimbursement of our products by third-party payors, including Medicare, in the future could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
A substantial portion of our revenues are derived from reimbursement by Medicare and other third-party payors for our ventilator products and services. Currently, ventilators are covered under the NCD for the DME Reference List, effective since April 1, 2003, for the treatment of neuromuscular diseases, thoracic restrictive diseases, and chronic respiratory failure resulting from COPD.
On June 9, 2025, CMS finalized a new NCD establishing clear medical necessity criteria for NIPPV in the home for treatment of chronic respiratory failure related to COPD. We actively participated in the national coverage analysis process, including submission of formal comments and ongoing engagement with CMS, the Department of Health and Human Services, and members of Congress.
The final NCD may significantly affect patient access, reimbursement, and utilization of ventilator therapies. Because Medicare coverage policies often influence commercial payors, including Medicare Advantage plans, changes to Medicare policy may have broader implications across our payer base. Any reduction or elimination of coverage or reimbursement by Medicare or other third-party payors, or an inability to maintain or expand coverage with additional commercial payors, could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
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Our dependence on key suppliers puts us at risk of interruptions in the availability of the equipment we need for our services, which could reduce our revenue and adversely affect our results of operations.
We require the timely delivery of a sufficient supply of equipment we use to perform our home treatment of patients. Our dependence on third-party suppliers involves several additional risks, including limited control over pricing, availability, quality and delivery schedules. While certain medical equipment and components have historically been excluded from tariff regimes or subject to exemptions, trade measures may be expanded, reclassified, or implemented with limited notice, and suppliers may increase prices to reflect higher input costs, compliance requirements, or logistics constraints. These developments could increase our equipment and supply costs and reduce product availability. To date, we have not experienced a material adverse impact on operating costs or supply availability attributable to tariffs. To the extent tariffs create challenges on sourcing medical equipment from foreign manufacturers, we can attempt to source equipment from domestic manufacturers when practicable. Dependence on only a few manufacturers presents risks that suppliers may not be able to provide or adequately provide sufficient equipment to satisfy demand. Demand may also outstrip supply, leading to equipment shortages that could adversely affect our operations. Inadequate supply could also impair our ability to attract new business and could create upward pricing pressure on equipment and supplies, adversely affecting our margins. Conversely, incorrect demand forecasting could lead to excess inventory, which we may not be able to sell. If we fail to achieve certain volume of sales, prices of medical equipment may increase, leading to reduced revenue and profitability. The industry is subject to a high level of regulatory scrutiny, and government or manufacturer recalls could adversely affect our ability to provide products and services and achieve revenue targets. Additionally, the market for financing ventilators and other supplies we need could be more difficult in the future.
We conduct all of our operations through our United States subsidiaries and our ability to extract value from these subsidiaries may be limited.
We conduct all of our operations through our United States subsidiaries. Therefore, to the extent of these holdings, we (directly and indirectly) will be dependent on the cash flows of these subsidiaries to meet our obligations. The ability of such subsidiaries to make payments to their parent companies may be constrained by a variety of factors, including, the level of taxation, particularly corporate profits and withholding taxes, in the jurisdiction in which each subsidiary operates, and the introduction of exchange controls or repatriation restrictions or the availability of hard currency to be repatriated. Additionally, our subsidiaries are restricted from making distributions to us by our existing commercial credit facilities, subject to certain exceptions.
The failure to attract or to retain management or key operating personnel, including directors, could adversely affect operations.
Our success to date has depended, and will continue to depend, largely on the skills and efforts of our management team, including our ability to interpret market data correctly and to interpret and respond to economic, market and other conditions in order to locate and adopt appropriate opportunities. We are also dependent on the services of key executives, including our directors and a small number of highly skilled and experienced executives and personnel. Due to our relatively small size, the loss of a key individual on our management team or our inability to attract and retain additional highly skilled employees and suitably qualified staff could have a material adverse impact on our business and future operations. No assurance can be given that individuals with the required skills will continue employment with us or that replacement personnel with comparable skills can be found.
We have significant ongoing capital expenditure requirements. If we are unable to obtain necessary capital on favorable terms or at all, we may not be able to execute on our business plans and our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects may be adversely affected.
Our development and the business (including acquisitions) may require additional financing, which may involve high transaction costs, dilution to shareholders, high interest rates or unfavorable terms and conditions. Failure to obtain sufficient financing may result in the delay or indefinite postponement of our business plans and our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may be adversely affected. There can be no assurance that additional capital or other types of financing will be available if needed or that, if available, the terms of such financing will be favorable to us.
We are subject to the risks of litigation and governmental proceedings, which could adversely affect our business.
We are, and in the future may be, subject to legal and governmental proceedings and claims. The parties in such legal actions may seek amounts from us that may not be covered in whole or in part by insurance. Defending ourselves against such legal actions could result in significant costs and could require a substantial amount of time and effort by our management team. We cannot predict the outcome of litigation or governmental proceedings to which we are a party or whether we will be subject to future legal actions. As a result, the potential costs associated with legal actions against us could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects.
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Insurance and claims expenses could significantly reduce our profitability.
Our business is subject to a number of risks and hazards generally. Such occurrences could result in damage to property, inventory or facilities, personal injury or death, damage to our properties or the properties of others, monetary losses and possible legal liability. We may be subject to product liability and medical malpractice claims, which may adversely affect our operations. Our industry is highly regulated, and may be subject to regulatory scrutiny for violations of regulations and laws. We could be adversely affected by the time and cost involved with regulatory investigations even if we have operated in compliance with all laws. Investigations could also adversely affect the timely payment of receivables.
Although we maintain insurance to protect against certain risks in such amounts as we consider to be reasonable, our insurance will not cover all the potential risks associated with our operations. We may also be unable to maintain insurance to cover these risks at economically feasible premiums. Insurance coverage may not continue to be available or may not be adequate to cover any resulting liability. We might also become subject to liability which may not be insured against or which we may elect not to insure against because of premium costs or other reasons. Losses from these events may cause us to incur significant costs that could have a material adverse effect upon our financial performance and results of operations.
We rely significantly on information technology and any failure, inadequacy, interruption or security lapse of that technology, including any cybersecurity incidents, could harm our ability to operate our business effectively.
In the ordinary course of our business, we receive certain personal information, in both physical and electronic formats, about our patients, our employees, and our vendors. We maintain substantial security measures and data backup systems to protect, store, and prevent unauthorized access to such information. Nevertheless, it is possible that computer hackers and others (through cyberattacks, which are rapidly evolving and becoming increasingly sophisticated, or by other means) might defeat our security measures in the future and obtain the personal information of customers, their loved ones, our employees, and our vendors that we hold. If we fail to protect this information, we could experience significant costs and expenses as well as damage to our reputation. Additionally, legislation relating to cybersecurity threats could impose additional requirements on our operations.
Our ability to manage and maintain our internal reports effectively and integration of new business acquisitions depends significantly on our enterprise resource planning system and other information systems. Some of our information technology systems may experience interruptions, delays or cessations of service or produce errors in connection with ongoing systems implementation work. The failure of our systems to operate effectively or to integrate with other systems, or a breach in security or other unauthorized access of these systems, may also result in reduced efficiency of our operations and could require significant capital investments to remediate any such failure, problem or breach and to comply with applicable regulations, all of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies may introduce operational risks and challenges.
While AI technologies, including machine learning and generative AI, offer substantial benefits such as improved efficiency, innovation, and decision-making, they also present several risks. These include the potential for unintended or biased outcomes, which could lead to operational disruptions, legal liabilities, or damage to our reputation. The rapid pace of AI development, coupled with the current absence of comprehensive regulatory frameworks, exacerbates these risks. Furthermore, the misuse or malfunction of AI systems could attract regulatory scrutiny, resulting in potential fines or penalties. Additionally, competitors who more effectively harness AI may gain a strategic advantage, further impacting our market position. Failure to effectively mitigate these risks may have an adverse effect on our operations and long-term growth.
Disruptions in the credit and financial markets may have an adverse impact on our ability to obtain capital and financing for our operations.
Market events and conditions, including disruptions in the international credit markets and other financial systems and the deterioration of global economic conditions, could impede our access to capital or increase the cost of capital. These disruptions could, among other things, make it more difficult for us to obtain, or increase our cost of obtaining, capital and financing for our operations. Access to additional capital may not be available to us on terms acceptable to us, or at all.
Our strategic growth plan, which involves the acquisition of other businesses, may not succeed.
Our strategic growth plan calls for significant growth in our business over the next several years through an increase in our density in select markets where we are established as well as the expansion of our geographic footprint into new markets. This growth would place (and has placed) significant demands on our management team, systems, internal controls and financial and professional resources. As a result, we could be required to incur (and have incurred) expenses for hiring additional qualified personnel, retaining professionals to assist in developing the appropriate control systems and expanding our information technology infrastructure. If we are unable to effectively manage growth, our financial results could be adversely impacted. Our strategic growth plan contemplates continued growth from future acquisitions of home medical equipment and service providers.
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We may face increased competition for attractive acquisition candidates, which may limit the number of acquisition opportunities available to us or lead to the payment of higher prices for acquisitions. Without successful acquisitions, our future growth rate could decline. In addition, we cannot guarantee that any future acquisitions, if consummated, will result in further growth.
The integration of acquisitions requires significant attention from management, may impose substantial demands on our operations or other projects and may impose challenges on us including, but not limited to, consistencies in business standards, procedures, policies and business cultures. We cannot assure you that any future acquisitions, if consummated, will result in further growth. Specific integration risks relating to our acquisition of other businesses may include: difficulties related to combining previously separate businesses into a single unit, including patient transitions, product and service offerings, distribution and operational capabilities and business cultures; availability of financing to the extent needed to fund acquisitions; customer loss and other general business disruption; managing the integration process while completing other independent acquisitions or dispositions; diversion of management’s attention from day-to-day operations; delaying post-closing operations due to being required to obtain a new Medicare enrollment and undergo a new accreditation process with respect to certain acquisition candidates that are Medicare-enrolled DMEPOS suppliers; assumption of liabilities of an acquired business, including unforeseen or contingent liabilities or liabilities in excess of the amounts estimated; failure to realize anticipated benefits and synergies, such as cost savings and revenue enhancements; potentially substantial costs and expenses associated with acquisitions and dispositions; and failure to retain and motivate key employees difficulties in establishing and applying our internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures to an acquired business.
Adverse global macroeconomic conditions, including supply chain disruptions, tariffs, and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, could negatively impact our operations, costs, and profitability.
Our business may be affected by a range of global macroeconomic conditions, including newly imposed tariffs, disruptions to the supply chain, and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. While nearly all of our revenues are generated within the United States and denominated in U.S. dollars, we rely on both domestic and international suppliers for the medical equipment and supplies we rent and sell to patients. As a result, our cost structure and operational efficiency are subject to global market dynamics that may influence the availability and pricing of key products.
We are exposed to trade policy and tariff developments primarily through the pricing actions and sourcing decisions of our suppliers rather than through direct import activity. While certain medical equipment and components have historically been excluded from tariff regimes or subject to exemptions, trade measures may be expanded, reclassified, or implemented with limited notice, and suppliers may increase prices to reflect higher input costs, compliance requirements, or logistics constraints. These developments could increase our equipment and supply costs and reduce product availability. To date, we have not experienced a material adverse impact on operating costs or supply availability attributable to tariffs. However, the timing, scope, and duration of future actions remain uncertain, and we continue to monitor these developments and evaluate their potential operational and financial effects.
Additionally, global supply chain constraints continue to pose risks to our ability to acquire essential equipment and components in a timely and efficient manner. Factors such as raw material shortages, longer lead times from suppliers, and increased transportation expenses may limit our responsiveness to patient needs and may affect our ability to scale our business effectively.
Although our operations are primarily domestic, we are indirectly exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations through our international sourcing activities. Changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies, including the Canadian dollar and Chinese yuan, may impact the prices we pay to suppliers, which could increase our cost of goods sold and reduce our gross margins.
If these macroeconomic pressures persist or worsen, our ability to manage supply continuity, control costs, and meet patient demand could be adversely affected. As a result, our financial condition, operating results, and long-term strategic objectives may be negatively impacted.
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Risks Relating to Government Regulation
Healthcare reform legislation and/or executive action may affect our business.
Healthcare reform laws significantly affect the U.S. healthcare services industry. In recent years, many legislative proposals have been introduced or proposed in Congress and in some state legislatures that would affect major changes in the healthcare system, either nationally or at the state level. At the federal level, Congress has continued to propose or consider healthcare budgets that substantially reduce payments under the Medicare and Medicaid programs. See “Business–Government Regulation” in Item 1 for more information. The ultimate content, timing or effect of any healthcare reform legislation and the impact of potential legislation on us is uncertain and difficult, if not impossible, to predict. In addition, the current Presidential administration has, since taking office, pursued executive actions and policy initiatives intended to change the structure, priorities, and funding of various federal agencies and programs. Changes in agency funding levels, staffing capacity, rulemaking priorities, enforcement practices, or administrative processes could influence reimbursement policy, audit activity, prior authorization requirements, claims adjudication timelines, and the interpretation or implementation of applicable laws and regulations. It is difficult to predict the extent to which these actions may be implemented, modified, or delayed, including as a result of litigation or changes in political priorities, or the ultimate impact on healthcare providers.
We are subject to extensive federal and state regulation, and if we fail to comply with applicable regulations, we could suffer severe criminal or civil sanctions or be required to make significant changes to our operations that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
The federal government and all states in which we currently operate regulate various aspects of our business. Our operations also are subject to state laws governing, among other things, distribution of medical equipment and certain types of home health activities, and we are required to obtain and maintain licenses in each state to act as a DME supplier. Additionally, accreditation is required by many payors. If we fail to obtain or maintain any required accreditation, it could have an adverse impact on our business.
As a healthcare provider participating in governmental healthcare programs, we are subject to laws directed at preventing fraud, waste, and abuse, which subject our marketing, billing, documentation and other practices to government scrutiny. These include specific requirements imposed by the DME MAC Supplier Manuals. To ensure compliance with Medicare and Medicaid requirements and other federal and state regulations, government agencies or their contractors often conduct routine audits and request customer records and other documents to support our claims submitted for payment of services rendered. Government agencies or their contractors also periodically open investigations and obtain information from healthcare providers. Violations of federal and state regulations can result in severe criminal, civil and administrative penalties, damages, and sanctions, including debarment, suspension or exclusion from Medicare, Medicaid and other government reimbursement programs, any of which would have a material adverse effect on our business.
We expect the federal and state governments to continue their efforts to contain growth in Medicaid expenditures, which could adversely affect our revenue and profitability.
Medicaid spending has increased rapidly in recent years, becoming a significant component of state budgets. This, combined with slower state revenue growth, has led both the federal government and many states to institute measures aimed at controlling the growth of Medicaid spending, and in some instances reducing aggregate Medicaid spending. We expect these state and federal efforts to continue for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, not all of the states in which we operate have elected to expand Medicaid coverage as part of federal healthcare reform legislation. There can be no assurance that any state Medicaid program, on the current terms or otherwise, will continue for any particular period of time beyond the foreseeable future. If Medicaid reimbursement rates are reduced or fail to increase as quickly as our costs, or if there are changes in the rules governing the Medicaid program that are disadvantageous to our businesses, our business and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
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Revenue we receive from third-party payors as well as Medicare and Medicaid is subject to potential retroactive reduction.
Payments we receive from governmental healthcare programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, and private third-party payors can be retroactively adjusted after examination during the claims settlement process or as a result of post-payment audits and subsequent recoupment. Governmental healthcare programs and third-party payors may disallow, in whole or in part, our requests for reimbursement, or recoup amounts previously reimbursed, based on determinations by the payors or their third-party audit contractors that certain costs are not reimbursable because either adequate or additional documentation was not provided or because certain services were not covered or were deemed not to be medically necessary. Significant adjustments, recoupments or repayments of our Medicare or Medicaid revenue, and the costs associated with complying with investigative audits by regulatory and governmental authorities and private third-party payors, could materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Additionally, from time to time we become aware, based on information provided by third parties and/or the results of internal audits, of payments from such payor sources that were either wholly or partially in excess of the amount that we should have been paid for the service provided. Overpayments may result from a variety of factors, including insufficient documentation supporting the services rendered or medical necessity or other failures to document satisfaction of the applicable conditions of payment. We are required by law in most instances to refund the full amount of the overpayment after becoming aware of it, and failure to do so within requisite time limits imposed by law could lead to significant fines and penalties being imposed on us.
Furthermore, our initial billing of and payments for services that are unsupported by the requisite documentation and satisfaction of any other conditions of payment, regardless of our awareness of the failure at the time of the billing or payment, could expose us to significant fines and penalties. We could also be subject to exclusion from participation in the Medicare or Medicaid programs in some circumstances as well, in addition to any monetary or other fines, penalties or sanctions that we may incur under applicable federal and/or state law. Our repayment of any such amounts, as well as any fines, penalties or other sanctions that we may incur, could be significant and could have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
From time to time we are also involved in external governmental investigations, audits and reviews. Reviews, audits and investigations of this sort can lead to government actions, which can result in recoupment of reimbursement, civil or criminal fines or penalties, or other sanctions, including restrictions or changes in the way we conduct business, loss of licensure or exclusion from participation in government healthcare programs. Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and rules could have a material and adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Furthermore, responding to governmental investigations, audits and reviews can also require us to incur significant legal and document production expenses, regardless of whether the particular investigation, audit or review leads to identification of underlying noncompliance or wrongdoing.
As a result of post-payment reviews of claims we submit to Medicare and Medicaid for our services, we may incur additional costs and may be required to repay amounts already paid to us.
We are subject to regular post-payment inquiries, investigations and audits of claims we submit to Medicare and Medicaid for payment for our services. These post-payment reviews may increase as a result of government cost-containment initiatives, may require us to incur costs to respond to requests for records and to pursue the reversal of payment denials, and ultimately may require us to refund amounts paid to us by Medicare or Medicaid that are determined to have been overpaid.
For a further description of this and other laws and regulations involving governmental reimbursements, see “Business—Government Regulation” in Item 1.
An economic downturn, state budget pressures, sustained unemployment and continued deficit spending by the federal government may result in a reduction in reimbursement and covered services.
An economic downturn could have a detrimental effect on our revenues. Historically, state budget pressures have translated into reductions in state spending. Given that Medicaid outlays are a significant component of state budgets, we can expect continuing cost containment pressures on Medicaid outlays for our services in the states in which we operate. In addition, an economic downturn, coupled with sustained unemployment, may also impact the number of enrollees in managed care programs as well as the profitability of managed care companies, which could result in reduced reimbursement rates.
The existing federal deficit, as well as deficit spending by federal and state governments as the result of adverse economic developments or other reasons, can lead to continuing pressure to reduce governmental expenditures for other purposes, including government-funded programs in which we participate, such as Medicare and Medicaid. Such actions in turn may adversely affect our operations and revenue.
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Delays in reimbursement due to claims submission reimbursement processes may cause liquidity problems.
There are delays in reimbursement from the time we provide services to the time we receive reimbursement or payment for these services. Delays may result from changes by third-party payors to data submission requirements or requests by fiscal intermediaries for additional data or documentation, among other issues. If we or other providers involved in claims submission reimbursement processes have information system problems or issues that arise with Medicare or Medicaid or private health insurers, we may encounter delays in our payment cycle. Such timing delays may cause working capital shortages. Working capital management, including prompt and diligent billing and collection, is an important factor in our results of operations and liquidity. System problems, Medicare or Medicaid issues or industry trends may extend our collection period, adversely impact our working capital. Our working capital management procedures may not successfully negate this risk. There are often timing delays when attempting to collect funds from Medicaid programs. Delays in receiving reimbursement or payments from these programs may adversely impact our working capital.
We depend in part upon reimbursement by third-party payors.
A substantial portion of our revenues are derived from private and governmental third-party payors. In 2025, approximately 50% of our revenue was associated with managed care plans, commercial health insurers, workers’ compensation payors, and other third-party payor arrangements while approximately 40% of our revenues were derived from Medicare and Medicaid. The remaining portion of our patient revenue was generated from patient private pay and other sources. Initiatives undertaken by industry and government to contain healthcare costs affect our profitability. These payors attempt to control healthcare costs by contracting with healthcare providers to obtain services on a discounted basis. We believe that this trend will continue and may limit reimbursement for healthcare services. Additionally, from time to time our contracts with payors are terminated, amended or renegotiated, sometime unilaterally through policies. If insurers or managed care companies from whom we receive substantial payments were to terminate, amend or renegotiate contracts or reduce the amounts they pay for services, our profit margins may decline, or we may lose patients if we choose not to renew our contracts with these insurers at lower rates.
We face inspections, reviews, audits and investigations under federal and state government programs and contracts. These audits could have adverse findings that may negatively affect our business.
As a result of our participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, we are subject to various governmental inspections, reviews, audits and investigations to verify our compliance with these programs and applicable laws and regulations. Private health insurers may also reserve the right to conduct audits. An adverse inspection, review, audit or investigation could result in:
• refunding amounts we have been paid pursuant to the Medicare or Medicaid programs or from private health insurers;
• state or federal agencies imposing fines, penalties and other sanctions on us;
• temporary suspension of payment for new patients;
• decertification or exclusion from participation in the Medicare or Medicaid programs or one or more managed care payor networks;
• damage to our reputation; and
• loss of certain rights under, or termination of, our contracts with private health insurers.
If adverse inspections, reviews, audits or investigations occur and any of the results noted above occur, it could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.
We are subject to extensive federal and state laws and regulations relating to the privacy and security of protected health information and failure to comply with such laws may increase our operational costs.
HIPAA privacy and security regulations establish a complex regulatory framework governing the use and disclosure of protected health information ("PHI"), including, for example, the circumstances under which uses and disclosures of PHI are permitted or required without a specific authorization by the patient; a patient’s right to access, amend and receive an accounting of certain disclosures of PHI; the content of notices of privacy practices describing how PHI is used and disclosed and individuals’ rights with respect to their PHI; and implementation of administrative, technical and physical safeguards to protect privacy and security of PHI. The federal privacy regulations restrict our ability to use or disclose certain individually identifiable patient health information, without patient authorization, for purposes other than payment, treatment or healthcare operations (as defined by HIPAA), except for disclosures for various public policy purposes and other permitted purposes outlined in the privacy regulations. The HIPAA privacy and security regulations do not supersede state laws that may be more stringent; therefore, we are required to comply with both federal privacy and security regulations and varying state privacy and security laws and regulations.
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The HIPAA privacy and security regulations also require healthcare providers like us to notify affected individuals, the HHS Secretary, and in some cases, the media, when PHI has been “breached,” as defined by HIPAA. Many states have similar breach notification laws. We have established policies and procedures in an effort to ensure compliance with the HIPAA privacy and security regulations and similar state laws. However, if there is a breach, we may be required to incur costs to mitigate and remediate the impact of the breach on affected individuals, and therefore could incur substantial operational and financial costs related to such mitigation and remediation. Additionally, HIPAA, and its implementing regulations provide for significant civil fines, criminal penalties, and other sanctions for failure to comply with the privacy, security, and breach notification rules, including for wrongful or impermissible use or disclosure of PHI. Although HIPAA regulations do not expressly provide for a private right of action for damages, we could incur damages under state laws to private parties for the wrongful or impermissible use or disclosure of confidential health information or other private personal information. Additionally, HIPAA allows state Attorneys General to bring an action against a covered entity, such as us, for a violation of HIPAA. We insure some of our risk with respect to HIPAA security breaches, but operational costs and penalties associated with HIPAA breaches easily could exceed our insured limits.
HIPAA regulations impose additional requirements, restrictions and penalties on covered entities and their business associates to, among other things, deter breaches of security. Our electronic health records system is periodically modified to meet applicable security standards. Despite the implementation of various security measures by us, our infrastructure may be vulnerable to computer viruses, break-ins and other disruptive problems inadvertently introduced by authorized users such as employees and clients, or purposefully targeted by hackers and other cybercriminals which could lead to interruption, delays or cessation in service to our clients. Further, such incidents, whether electronic or physical, could jeopardize the security of confidential information, including PHI and other sensitive information stored in our computer systems related to clients, patients, and other parties connected through us, which may deter potential clients and give rise to uncertain liability to parties whose security or privacy has been infringed. A significant security breach could result in fines, loss of clients, damage to our reputation, direct damages, costs of repair and detection, costs to remedy the breach, government penalties, and other expenses. We insure some of our risk with respect to security breaches but the occurrence of any of the foregoing events could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and our financial condition.
Our products may be subject to future rounds of Medicare's Competitive Bidding Program, which may negatively affect our business and financial condition.
The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 required the HHS to establish and implement programs under which competitive acquisition areas are established throughout the United States for purposes of awarding contracts for the furnishing of competitively priced items of DME.
CMS, the agency responsible for administering the Medicare program, conducts a competition for each competitive acquisition area under which providers submit bids to supply certain covered items of DME. Under the competitive bidding program, DME suppliers compete to become Medicare contract suppliers by submitting bids to furnish certain items in competitive bidding areas. As part of the competitive bidding process, SPAs replace the current Medicare DME fee schedule payment amounts for selected items in certain areas of the country. The SPAs are determined by using bids submitted by DME suppliers.
Successful bidders must meet certain program quality standards in order to be awarded a contract and only successful bidders can supply the covered items to Medicare beneficiaries in the acquisition area. There are, however, regulations in place that allow non-contracted providers to continue to provide products and services to their existing customers at the new competitive bidding payment amounts. The contracts are expected to be re-bid every three years. CMS is required to award contracts to multiple entities submitting bids in each area for an item or service, but has the authority to limit the number of contractors in a competitive acquisition area as necessary to meet projected demand.
CMS has modified the scope and timing of the competitive bidding program over time. Non-invasive ventilators were previously included in Round 2021. However, prior to implementation, CMS removed that product category from the program. CMS subsequently removed a substantial number of additional product categories from Round 2021, including oxygen equipment and PAP devices, after determining that the program did not achieve expected savings. As a result, Viemed has continued to furnish non-invasive ventilators, oxygen equipment, and PAP devices in its Medicare-accredited service areas without being subject to competitive bidding contract limitations for those products.
The Round 2021 competitive bidding contracts expired on December 31, 2023. CMS has since issued updated guidance regarding the next round of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program, indicating that the upcoming round will be limited to product categories within the Nationwide Remote Item Delivery (“RID”) program. CMS has identified the next round RID categories to include certain Class II continuous glucose monitors and insulin pumps, urological supplies, ostomy supplies, hydrophilic urinary catheters, and select off-the-shelf braces. Viemed does not furnish products within these categories and, based on currently available information, does not expect the next round of competitive bidding to apply to, or have a material impact on, its products or services.
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However, the timing, scope, and structure of future competitive bidding rounds beyond the announced RID-focused program remain uncertain and subject to change. CMS retains authority to expand or modify the program, including by adding product categories, adjusting geographic coverage, or revising program requirements. We cannot predict whether respiratory-related products or other items that we furnish may be included in future competitive bidding programs or the potential impact of any such inclusion on reimbursement rates, supplier participation, market competition, or our results of operations. Any future expansion of the competitive bidding program to include our products could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
CMS actions to impose temporary enrollment moratoria and heightened screening for certain DMEPOS supplier types could limit our ability to expand, pursue acquisitions, or maintain expected operational flexibility and could increase our compliance costs.
In February 2026, CMS announced the imposition of a 6-month nationwide temporary moratorium on the Medicare enrollment of certain DMEPOS “medical supply company” supplier types, with the stated objective of combating fraud, waste, and abuse. The moratorium generally applies to new enrollments and new practice locations for the specified supplier types, may be extended in additional 6-month increments, and CMS indicated it will closely scrutinize enrollment applications during the moratorium period, including through site visits and other verification activities. Although the moratorium is generally directed at newly enrolling suppliers, it could adversely affect our business to the extent we seek to (i) open new locations or otherwise undertake expansion initiatives that require new supplier enrollments or specialty classifications, (ii) acquire, restructure, or integrate DME operations in a manner that triggers a new enrollment requirement, or (iii) consummate or finance transactions involving supplier entities that are required to re-enroll as a result of ownership changes. In particular, CMS highlighted that certain non-exempt changes in majority ownership within a defined period may require termination of existing billing privileges and re-enrollment as a new supplier, and CMS stated that the moratorium would prohibit re-enrollment in such circumstances for covered supplier types. More broadly, the announcement reflects an enhanced program integrity posture toward portions of the DMEPOS supplier sector, and similar CMS actions in the future, including extensions, expansions to additional supplier categories, or other enrollment and screening initiatives, could increase administrative burden, delay growth initiatives, heighten audit and investigation risk, and result in enrollment denials or other adverse actions. Any of these developments could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
If CMS requires prior authorization for our products, our revenue and cash flow could be negatively impacted.
CMS maintains a Master List of Items Frequently Subject to Unnecessary Utilization (the “Master List”) that identifies certain DMEPOS items that CMS has determined may warrant additional utilization controls, including prior authorization, as a condition of Medicare payment. CMS also historically required face-to-face practitioner encounters and written orders for certain categories of DMEPOS items, and in 2019 combined and harmonized these requirements into the Master List framework. Inclusion of an item on the Master List does not, by itself, require prior authorization. However, CMS may select items from the Master List for inclusion on a Required Prior Authorization List or otherwise impose prior authorization or additional documentation requirements through rulemaking or sub-regulatory guidance.
Certain items within our product offerings are included in the Master List. If CMS were to implement prior authorization or additional documentation requirements applicable to products we furnish, including non-invasive home ventilation, we could experience delays in initiating therapy, increased administrative and compliance costs, higher claim denial or deferral rates, longer billing and collection cycles, and greater variability in reimbursement. Any of these outcomes could reduce revenue, adversely affect cash flows, and negatively impact our results of operations.
If we fail to comply with state and federal fraud and abuse laws, including anti-kickback laws, false claims acts, self-referral prohibitions, and anti-inducement laws, we could face substantial penalties and our business, operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
The Federal Anti-Kickback Statute prohibits, among other things, knowingly and willfully offering, paying, soliciting or receiving remuneration, directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, to induce or in return for purchasing, leasing, ordering, or arranging for the purchase, lease or order of any item or service reimbursable under Medicare, Medicaid, or any other federal healthcare program. The Anti-Kickback Statute, and similar state laws prohibit payments intended to induce physicians or others to refer patients or to acquire or arrange for or recommend the acquisition of healthcare products or services. These laws restrict sales, marketing and other promotional activities by limiting the kinds of financial arrangements, including sales programs, which may be used with hospitals, physicians, and other potential purchasers or prescribers of our products. The statutory exceptions and regulatory safe harbors protecting certain common activities from prosecution are drawn narrowly, and any remuneration to or from a prescriber or purchaser of healthcare products or services may be subject to scrutiny if they do not qualify for an exception or safe harbor. Our practices may not in all cases meet all of the criteria for safe harbor protection from anti-kickback liability. However, practices that do not fit into a safe harbor are not per se illegal, and are instead analyzed based on the particular facts and circumstances to determine whether the practice presents a low risk of fraud and abuse. Although we believe our practices are compliant with
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applicable safe harbors, we cannot assure you that a government regulator will not take the position that some of our practices do not meet all of the narrow criteria of an applicable safe harbor and otherwise violate the Anti-Kickback Statute.
The Federal False Claims Act prohibits, in part, any person from knowingly presenting or causing to be presented a false claim for payment to the federal government, or knowingly making or causing to be made a false statement to get a false claim paid. The majority of states also have statutes or regulations similar to the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute and Federal False Claims Act, which apply to items or services reimbursed under Medicaid and other state programs, or, in certain states, apply regardless of payor. These false claims acts allow any person to bring suit in the name of the government alleging false and fraudulent claims presented to or paid by the government (or for other violations of the statutes) and to share a certain portion of amounts paid by the entity to the government in fines or settlement. Such suits, often referred to as qui tam actions, have increased significantly in the healthcare industry in recent years.
Sanctions under these federal and state laws may include civil monetary penalties, exclusion from participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs, criminal fines and imprisonment. In addition, the ACA, among other things, amended the intent requirement of the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute and criminal healthcare fraud statutes. A person or entity generally does not need to have actual knowledge of these statutes or specific intent to violate them in order to have criminal and/or civil exposure. In addition, the ACA provides that the government may assert that a claim, including items or services resulting from a violation of the Federal Anti-Kickback Statute, constitutes a false or fraudulent claim for purposes of the Federal False Claims Act. Because of the breadth of these laws and the narrowness of the safe harbors and exceptions, it is possible that some of our business activities could be subject to challenge under one or more of such laws. Such a challenge, regardless of the outcome, could have a material adverse effect on our business, business relationships, reputation, financial condition and results of operations.
The Ethics in Patient Referrals Act, commonly known as the "Stark Law," prohibits a physician from making referrals for certain "designated health services" payable by Medicare to an entity, including a company that furnishes DME, in which the physician or an immediate family member of such physician has an ownership or investment interest or with which the physician has entered into a compensation arrangement, unless a statutory or regulatory exception applies. The majority of states also have statutes or regulations similar to the Stark Law, which apply to items or services reimbursed under Medicaid and other state programs, or, in several states, apply regardless of payor. Violation of the Stark Law and similar state laws could result in denial of payment, disgorgement of reimbursements received under a noncompliant arrangement, civil penalties, damages and exclusion from Medicare or other governmental and state programs. Although we believe that we have structured our provider arrangements to comply with current Stark Law and state equivalent requirements, these requirements are highly technical and there can be no guarantee that regulatory authorities will not determine or assert that our arrangements are in violation of the Stark Law and state equivalents and do not otherwise meet applicable exceptions.
The Civil Monetary Penalties Law imposes civil monetary penalties and potential exclusion from Medicare and Medicaid programs on any person who offers or transfers remuneration to any patient who is a Medicare or Medicaid beneficiary, when the person knows or should know that the remuneration is likely to induce the patient to receive medical services from a particular provider. The Federal Civil Monetary Penalties Law applies, among other things, to many kinds of inducements or benefits provided to patients, including complimentary items, services or transportation that are of more than nominal value. We have structured our operations and provision of services to patients in a manner that we believe complies with the law and its interpretation by government authorities. We cannot assure you, however, that government authorities will not take a contrary view and impose civil monetary penalties and exclude us from participation in Medicare and Medicaid for past or present practices related to patient incentive, coordination of care and need-based programs.
The scope and enforcement of each of these laws is uncertain and subject to rapid change in the current environment of healthcare reform, especially in light of the lack of applicable precedent and regulations. If our operations are found to be in violation of any of the laws described above or any other government regulations that apply to us, we may be subject to penalties, including civil and criminal penalties, damages, fines and the curtailment, restructuring, or restricting of our operations. Any penalties, damages, fines, curtailment or restructuring or our operations could harm our ability to operate our business and our financial results. Any action against us for violation of these laws, even if we successfully defend against it, could cause us to incur significant legal expenses and divert our management’s attention from operation of our business. Moreover, achieving and sustaining compliance with applicable federal and state fraud laws may prove costly.
The implementation of alternative payment models and the transition of Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries to managed care organizations may limit our market share and could adversely affect our revenues.
Many government and commercial payors are transitioning providers to alternative payment models that are designed to promote cost-efficiency, quality and coordination of care. For example, accountable care organizations (“ACOs”) incentivize hospitals, physician groups, and other providers to organize and coordinate patient care while reducing unnecessary costs. Several states have implemented, or plan to implement, accountable care models for their Medicaid populations. We cannot predict how the continued establishment and implementation of these new business models will impact our business. There is the possibility that value-based payment models, such as ACOs, will drive down the utilization and/or reimbursement rates for our services. We may
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not be able to gain access into certain ACOs. If we are not included in these programs, or if ACOs establish programs that overlap with our services, we could experience an adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.
We may be similarly impacted by increased enrollment of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries in managed care plans, shifting away from traditional fee-for-service models. Under the managed Medicare program, also known as Medicare Advantage, the federal government contracts with private health insurers to provide Medicare benefits. Insurers may choose to offer supplemental benefits and impose higher plan costs on beneficiaries. More than one half of Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan in 2025; a figure that continues to grow. Similarly, enrollment in managed Medicaid plans is also growing, as states are increasingly relying on managed care organizations to deliver Medicaid program services as a strategy to control costs and manage resources.
We may experience increased competition for managed care contracts due to state regulation and limitations. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in our efforts to be included in plan networks, that we will be able to secure favorable contracts with all or some of the managed care organizations, that our reimbursement under these programs will remain at current levels, that authorizations for services will remain at current levels or that our profitability will remain at levels consistent with past performance. In addition, operational processes may not be well defined as a state transitions Medicaid beneficiaries to managed care. For example, membership, new referrals and related authorizations for services may be delayed, which may result in delays in service delivery to consumers or in payment for services rendered. Difficulties with operational processes may negatively affect our revenue growth rates, cash flow and profitability for services provided.
In addition, other alternative payment models may be adopted by the government and commercial payors to control costs that subject us to financial risk. We cannot predict at this time what alternative payment models may be presented and what effect such new payment models may have on our operations or financial condition in the future.
We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations that govern our employment practices, including minimum wage, living wage, and paid time-off requirements. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations, or changes to these laws and regulations that increase our employment-related expenses, could adversely impact our operations.
We are required to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to employment, including occupational safety and health requirements, wage and hour and other compensation requirements, employee benefits, providing leave and sick pay, employment insurance, proper classification of workers as employees or independent contractors, immigration and equal employment opportunity laws. These laws and regulations can vary significantly among jurisdictions and can be highly technical. Costs and expenses related to these requirements are a significant operating expense and may increase as a result of, among other things, changes in federal, state or local laws or regulations, or the interpretation thereof, requiring employers to provide specified benefits or rights to employees, increases in the minimum wage and local living wage ordinances, increases in the level of existing benefits or the lengthening of periods for which unemployment benefits are available. We may not be able to offset any increased costs and expenses. Furthermore, any failure to comply with these laws requirements, including even a seemingly minor infraction, can result in significant penalties which could harm our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our business.
In addition, certain individuals and entities, known as excluded persons, are prohibited from receiving payment for their services rendered to Medicaid, Medicare and other federal and state healthcare program beneficiaries. If we inadvertently hire or contract with an excluded person, or if any of our current employees or contractors becomes an excluded person in the future without our knowledge, we may be subject to substantial civil penalties, including up to $20,000 for each item or service furnished by the excluded individual to a federal or state healthcare program beneficiary, an assessment of up to three times the amount claimed and exclusion from the program.
Each of our subsidiaries that employ an average of at least 50 full-time employees in a calendar year are required to offer a minimum level of health coverage for 95% of our full-time employees in 2025 or be subject to an annual penalty.
Risks Related to our Common Shares
If we fail to establish and maintain proper disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting, our ability to produce accurate financial statements and supplemental information, or comply with applicable regulations could be impaired.
As we grow, we may be subject to growth-related risks including capacity constraints and pressure on our internal systems and controls. Our ability to manage growth effectively will require us to continue to implement and improve our operational and financial systems and to expend, train and manage our employee base.
We must maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures. Further, as we are no longer an emerging growth company, our independent registered public accounting firm is required to formally attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial
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reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. If we fail to maintain effective controls, investors may lose confidence in our operating results, the price of our common shares could decline and we may be subject to litigation or regulatory enforcement actions.
The market price for our common shares may experience substantial volatility for reasons unrelated to our financial performance. This volatility may impact the price at which shareholders can sell their common shares.
Our common shares are listed and posted for trading on the NASDAQ. Securities of small-cap and healthcare companies have experienced substantial volatility in the past, often based on factors unrelated to the financial performance or prospects of the companies involved. These factors include macroeconomic developments in North America and globally, and market perceptions of the attractiveness of particular industries. The price of our common shares is also likely to be significantly affected by short-term changes in the cost of goods, or in financial condition or results of our operations. Other factors unrelated to our performance that may have an effect on the price of our common shares include the following: the extent of analytical coverage available to investors concerning our business may be limited if investment banks with research capabilities do not follow our securities; lessening in trading volume and general market interest in our securities may affect an investor’s ability to trade significant numbers of our common shares; the size of our public float may limit the ability of some institutions to invest in our securities; and a substantial decline in the price of our common shares that persists for a significant period of time could cause our securities, if listed on an exchange, to be delisted from such exchange, further reducing market liquidity.
As a result of any of these factors, the market price of our common shares at any given point in time may not accurately reflect our long-term value. Securities class-action litigation often has been brought against companies following periods of volatility in the market price of their securities. We may in the future be the target of similar litigation. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and damages and divert management’s attention and resources.
The failure of our common shares to be included in various stock indices could result in the market for our common shares to become limited and volatile and the price at which you can sell your shares to decrease.
Your ability to sell or purchase our common shares depends upon the existence of an active trading market for our common shares. Additionally, a fair valuation of the purchase or sales price of our common shares also depends upon an active trading market, and thus the price you receive for a thinly traded stock may not reflect its true value. A limited trading market for common shares may cause fluctuations in the market value of those common shares to be exaggerated, leading to price volatility in excess of that which would occur in a more active trading market.
Although our common shares are quoted on the NASDAQ, the volume of trades on any given day has historically been limited. As a result, shareholders might not have been able to sell or purchase our common shares at the volume, price or time desired. If our common shares are removed from various stock indices, the volume of trading in our shares may decrease materially as well as the prices at which our shares trade.
Future sales of our common shares in the public market could reduce our share price, and any additional capital raised by us through the sale of equity or convertible securities may dilute the ownership of existing shareholders.
We will require additional funds in order to finance the further development of our business, which funds could be raised by, among other things, the issuance and sale of common shares. Sales of substantial amounts of our common shares (including shares issued in connection with an acquisition), or the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely affect prevailing market prices of our common shares. The perception in the public market that major shareholders might sell substantial amounts of our common shares could also depress the market price of our common shares.
In the future, we may attempt to obtain financing or further increase our capital resources by issuing additional shares of our common shares or by offering debt or other equity securities, including senior or subordinated notes, debt securities convertible into equity or shares of preferred stock. Issuing additional common shares or other equity securities or securities convertible into equity may dilute the economic and voting rights of our existing shareholders or reduce the market price of our common shares or both. Upon liquidation, holders of such debt securities and preferred shares, if issued, and lenders with respect to other borrowings would receive a distribution of our available assets prior to the holders of our common shares. Debt securities convertible into equity could be subject to adjustments in the conversion ratio pursuant to which certain events may increase the number of equity securities issuable upon conversion. Preferred shares, if issued, could have a preference with respect to liquidating distributions or a preference with respect to dividend payments that could limit our ability to pay dividends to the holders of our common shares. Our decision to issue securities in any future offering will, in part, depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, which may adversely affect the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, holders of our common shares bear the risk that future offerings may reduce the market price of our common shares and dilute their shareholdings. We cannot predict the size of future issuances of our common shares or securities convertible into common shares or the effect, if any, that future issuances and sales of shares of our common shares will have on the market price of our common shares.
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We will incur increased costs as a result of operating as a U.S. public reporting company, and our management is required to devote substantial time to new compliance initiatives.
As a U.S. public reporting company, we will incur significant legal, accounting and other expenses. In addition, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and rules subsequently implemented by the SEC and NASDAQ have imposed various requirements on U.S. public companies, including establishment and maintenance of effective disclosure and financial controls and corporate governance practices. We may have to hire additional accounting, finance, and other personnel in connection with our efforts to comply with the requirements of being a U.S. public reporting company, and our management and other personnel will need to devote a substantial amount of time towards maintaining compliance with these requirements. These requirements increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time-consuming and costly.
Because we have no current plans to pay cash dividends on our common shares, investors may not receive any return on their investment unless the value of our common shares appreciates.
We may retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business and have no current plans to pay any cash dividends on our common shares. Any future determination as to the declaration and payment of cash dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors (the “Board”) and will depend on then-existing conditions, including our financial condition, results of operations, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects, and other factors that the Board considers relevant. Accordingly, investors may only see a return on their investment if the value of our common shares appreciates.
Canadian laws differ from the laws in effect in the United States and may afford less protection to holders of our securities.
We are a Canadian corporation and are subject to the Business Corporations Act and certain other applicable securities laws as a Canadian issuer, which laws may differ from those governing a company formed under the laws of a United States jurisdiction. The provisions under Business Corporations Act and other relevant laws may affect the rights of shareholders differently than those of a company governed by the laws of a United States jurisdiction, and may, together with our notice of articles and articles (the “Articles”), have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another party from acquiring control of our company by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, or may affect the price an acquiring party would be willing to offer in such an instance.
We cannot guarantee that we will repurchase our common shares pursuant to our share repurchase program or that our share repurchase program will enhance long-term shareholder value. Share repurchases could also increase the volatility
of the price of our common shares and could diminish our cash reserves.
On March 4, 2026, the Company's Board of Directors authorized and approved a share repurchase program, effective through March 2027. Under the terms of the program, we may repurchase up to 1,930,131 of our common shares from time to time through open market purchases, block purchases or otherwise in accordance with applicable securities laws, including Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act. The timing and amount of repurchases of our common shares, if any, will depend upon several factors, such as the market price of the common shares, corporate requirements, general market economic conditions and applicable legal requirements. The Company is not obligated to repurchase any specific number or amount of common shares pursuant to the program, and it may modify, suspend or discontinue the program at any time. Repurchases of our common shares pursuant to the program could affect our share price and increase its volatility. The existence of the program could cause our share price to be higher than it would be in the absence of such a program and, if shares are repurchased in the program, it will reduce the market liquidity for our common shares. Additionally, the program could diminish our cash reserves, which may impact our ability to finance future growth and to pursue possible future strategic opportunities. There can be no assurance that any share repurchases will enhance long-term shareholder value, and the market price of our common shares may decline below the levels at which we repurchased common shares.
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