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

FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)                                                                                                                                                                                                 
 
☑ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015
 
or
 
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from _________ to __________

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER:  001-33865
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
 
Puerto Rico
 
66-0555678
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
1441 F.D. Roosevelt Avenue
   
San Juan, Puerto Rico
 
00920
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip code)

(787) 749-4949
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Not applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes   No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes    No
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large accelerated filer  
Accelerated filer  
 
Non-accelerated filer  
Smaller reporting company  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).   
Yes   No
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
 
Title of each class
 
Outstanding at March 31, 2015
Common Stock Class A, $1.00 par value
 
2,377,689
Common Stock Class B, $1.00 par value
 
24,146,945
 


Triple-S Management Corporation
 
FORM 10-Q
 
For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2015
 
Table of Contents

Part I – Financial Information
3
 
3
 
32
 
32
32
34
37
37
38
40
42
43
44
 
46
 
46
 
Part II – Other Information
 
 
46
 
Item 1A.  Risk Factors
46
 
47
 
47
 
47
 
47
 
Item 6.  Exhibits
47
 
48
 
Part I – Financial Information
 
Item 1.  Financial Statements

Triple-S Management Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

   
March 31,
2015
   
December 31,
2014
 
Assets
       
Investments and cash:
       
Securities available for sale, at fair value:
       
Fixed maturities
 
$
1,077,741
   
$
1,115,899
 
Equity securities
   
192,983
     
197,756
 
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost:
               
Fixed maturities
   
2,944
     
2,944
 
Policy loans
   
7,397
     
7,260
 
Cash and cash equivalents
   
186,322
     
110,037
 
Total investments and cash
   
1,467,387
     
1,433,896
 
Premiums and other receivables, net
   
312,952
     
315,622
 
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired
   
183,559
     
184,100
 
Property and equipment, net
   
76,283
     
78,343
 
Deferred tax asset
   
68,698
     
68,695
 
Goodwill
   
25,397
     
25,397
 
Other assets
   
65,729
     
39,683
 
Total assets
 
$
2,200,005
   
$
2,145,736
 
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
               
Claim liabilities
 
$
401,642
   
$
390,086
 
Liability for future policy benefits
   
334,616
     
328,293
 
Unearned premiums
   
75,183
     
82,656
 
Policyholder deposits
   
119,171
     
118,912
 
Liability to Federal Employees' Health Benefits Program (FEHBP)
   
16,780
     
15,666
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
200,087
     
162,458
 
Deferred tax liability
   
28,372
     
28,456
 
Long-term borrowings
   
74,057
     
74,467
 
Liability for pension benefits
   
87,759
     
86,716
 
Total liabilities
   
1,337,667
     
1,287,710
 
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Triple-S Management Corporation stockholders' equity
               
Common stock Class A, $1 par value. Authorized 100,000,000 shares;  issued and outstanding 2,377,689 at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively
   
2,378
     
2,378
 
Common stock Class B, $1 par value. Authorized 100,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding  24,146,945 and 24,654,497 shares at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively
   
24,147
     
24,654
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
108,798
     
121,405
 
Retained earnings
   
676,181
     
661,345
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
51,396
     
48,776
 
Total Triple-S Management Corporation stockholders' equity
   
862,900
     
858,558
 
Non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary
   
(562
)
   
(532
)
Total stockholders' equity
   
862,338
     
858,026
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
 
$
2,200,005
   
$
2,145,736
 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Revenues:
       
Premiums earned, net
 
$
532,558
   
$
541,852
 
Administrative service fees
   
29,123
     
29,750
 
Net investment income
   
10,918
     
11,351
 
Other operating revenues
   
1,153
     
1,494
 
Total operating revenues
   
573,752
     
584,447
 
Net realized investment gains (losses):
               
Total other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities
   
(1,202
)
   
-
 
Net realized gains, excluding other-than-temporary impairment losses on securities
   
7,415
     
126
 
Net realized investment gains
   
6,213
     
126
 
Other income, net
   
1,759
     
246
 
Total revenues
   
581,724
     
584,819
 
Benefits and expenses:
               
Claims incurred
   
432,430
     
449,107
 
Operating expenses
   
127,375
     
125,367
 
Total operating costs
   
559,805
     
574,474
 
Interest expense
   
2,182
     
2,305
 
Total benefits and expenses
   
561,987
     
576,779
 
Income before taxes
   
19,737
     
8,040
 
Income tax expense
   
4,931
     
1,111
 
Net income
   
14,806
     
6,929
 
Less: Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
   
30
     
26
 
Net income attributable to Triple-S Management Corporation
 
$
14,836
   
$
6,955
 
Earnings per share attributable to Triple-S Management Corporation
               
Basic net income per share
 
$
0.56
   
$
0.26
 
Diluted net income per share
 
$
0.56
   
$
0.25
 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

   
Three months ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Net income
 
$
14,806
   
$
6,929
 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
               
Net unrealized change in fair value of available for sale securities, net of taxes
   
1,794
     
22,302
 
Defined benefit pension plan:
               
Actuarial loss, net
   
887
     
705
 
Prior service credit, net
   
(61
)
   
(74
)
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax
   
2,620
     
22,933
 
Comprehensive income
   
17,426
     
29,862
 
Comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest
   
30
     
26
 
Comprehensive income attributable to Triple-S Management Corporation
 
$
17,456
   
$
29,888
 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands)

   
2015
   
2014
 
Balance at January 1
 
$
858,558
   
$
785,381
 
Share-based compensation
   
1,883
     
625
 
Repurchase and retirement of common stock
   
(14,997
)
   
(2,998
)
Comprehensive income
   
17,456
     
29,888
 
Total Triple-S Management Corporation stockholders' equity
   
862,900
     
812,896
 
Non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiary
   
(562
)
   
(204
)
Balance at March 31
 
$
862,338
   
$
812,692
 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands) 

   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
       
Net income
 
$
14,806
   
$
6,929
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
   
4,174
     
5,105
 
Net amortization of investments
   
1,533
     
1,429
 
Additions to the allowance for doubtful receivables
   
5,554
     
1,830
 
Deferred tax benefit
   
(379
)
   
(416
)
Net realized investment gain on sale of securities
   
(6,213
)
   
(126
)
Share-based compensation
   
1,883
     
625
 
(Increase) decrease in assets:
               
Premium and other receivables, net
   
(11,567
)
   
(29,463
)
Deferred policy acquisition costs and value of business acquired
   
541
     
223
 
Other deferred taxes
   
(1,282
)
   
57
 
Other assets
   
(25,267
)
   
(15,844
)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
               
Claim liabilities
   
11,556
     
26,289
 
Liability for future policy benefits
   
6,323
     
6,975
 
Unearned premiums
   
(7,473
)
   
(8,632
)
Policyholder deposits
   
899
     
840
 
Liability to FEHBP
   
1,114
     
(3,127
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
   
42,574
     
28,775
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
38,776
     
21,469
 

(Continued)
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(Dollar amounts in thousands) 

   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Cash flows from investing activities:
       
Proceeds from investments sold or matured:
       
Securities available for sale:
       
Fixed maturities sold
 
$
139,115
   
$
53,701
 
Fixed maturities matured/called
   
30,320
     
12,758
 
Equity securities sold
   
28,566
     
27,632
 
Securities held to maturity:
               
Fixed maturities matured/called
   
-
     
124
 
Acquisition of investments:
               
Securities available for sale:
               
Fixed maturities
   
(126,895
)
   
(80,146
)
Equity securities
   
(11,973
)
   
(17,123
)
Securities held to maturity:
               
Fixed maturities
   
-
     
(250
)
Other investments
   
(1,549
)
   
(128
)
Net outflows from policy loans
   
(137
)
   
(29
)
Net capital expenditures
   
(1,463
)
   
(1,917
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
   
55,984
     
(5,378
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Change in outstanding checks in excess of bank balances
   
(2,428
)
   
(1,021
)
Repayments of long-term borrowings
   
(410
)
   
(498
)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock
   
(14,997
)
   
(2,998
)
Proceeds from policyholder deposits
   
3,047
     
1,344
 
Surrenders of policyholder deposits
   
(3,687
)
   
(2,546
)
Net cash used in financing activities
   
(18,475
)
   
(5,719
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
   
76,285
     
10,372
 
Cash and cash equivalents:
               
Beginning of period
   
110,037
     
74,356
 
End of period
 
$
186,322
   
$
84,728
 
 
See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

(1)
Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying consolidated interim financial statements prepared by Triple-S Management Corporation and its subsidiaries are unaudited.  In this filing, the “Corporation”, the “Company”, “TSM”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Triple-S Management Corporation and its subsidiaries.  The consolidated interim financial statements do not include all of the information and the footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (GAAP) for complete financial statements.  These consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
 
In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of such consolidated interim financial statements, have been included.  The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year ending December 31, 2015.
 
(2)
Recent Accounting Standards
 
On April 7, 2015, the FASB issued guidance addressing the different balance sheet presentation requirements for debt issuance costs and debt discount and premiums.  This guidance requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts.  The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs is not significantly affected.  This guidance is effective for public companies for fiscal years and interim periods within such years beginning after December 15, 2015.  We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance may have on our financial position or results of operations.
 
On May 1, 2015, the FASB issued guidance addressing the current diversity in practice regarding the manner in which certain investments measured at net asset value with redemption dates in the future, including periodic redemption dates, are categorized within the fair value hierarchy.  This guidance eliminates the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy investments for which fair values are measured at net asset value using the practical expedient.  Additionally, it eliminates the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value practical expedient.  This guidance is effective for public companies for fiscal years and interim periods within such years beginning after December 15, 2015.  We are currently evaluating the impact, if any, the adoption of this guidance may have on our financial position or results of operations.
 
Other than the accounting pronouncement disclosed above, there were no other new accounting pronouncements issued during the three months ended March 31, 2015 that could have a material impact on the Corporation’s financial position, operating results or financials statement disclosures.
 
(3)
Segment Information
 
The operations of the Corporation are conducted principally through three business segments: Managed Care, Life Insurance, and Property and Casualty Insurance.  The Corporation evaluates performance based primarily on the operating revenues and operating income of each segment.  Operating revenues include premiums earned, net, administrative service fees, net investment income, and revenues derived from other segments.  Operating costs include claims incurred and operating expenses.  The Corporation calculates operating income or loss as operating revenues less operating costs.
 
The Managed Care segment participated in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Health Insurance Plan (similar to Medicaid) (Medicaid) program to provide health coverage to medically indigent citizens in Puerto Rico, as defined by the laws of the government of Puerto Rico, by administering the provision of the physical health component in all of the eight service regions in Puerto Rico until March 31, 2015.  Administrative service fees during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 amounted to $23,642 and $23,822, respectively.  Effective April 1, 2015, we started to provide healthcare services to only two regions of the Medicaid program on a risk based model.
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
The following tables summarize the operations by reportable segment for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Operating revenues:
       
Managed Care:
       
Premiums earned, net
 
$
472,167
   
$
483,686
 
Administrative service fees
   
29,123
     
29,750
 
Intersegment premiums/service fees
   
1,193
     
1,337
 
Net investment income
   
2,998
     
3,704
 
Total managed care
   
505,481
     
518,477
 
Life Insurance:
               
Premiums earned, net
   
37,780
     
34,864
 
Intersegment premiums
   
61
     
105
 
Net investment income
   
5,781
     
5,654
 
Total life insurance
   
43,622
     
40,623
 
Property and Casualty Insurance:
               
Premiums earned, net
   
22,611
     
23,302
 
Intersegment premiums
   
153
     
153
 
Net investment income
   
2,090
     
1,924
 
Total property and casualty insurance
   
24,854
     
25,379
 
Other segments: *
               
Intersegment service revenues
   
2,383
     
1,714
 
Operating revenues from external sources
   
1,183
     
1,494
 
Total other segments
   
3,566
     
3,208
 
Total business segments
   
577,523
     
587,687
 
TSM operating revenues from external sources
   
14
     
39
 
Elimination of intersegment premiums/service fees
   
(1,407
)
   
(1,595
)
Elimination of intersegment service revenues
   
(2,383
)
   
(1,714
)
Other intersegment eliminations
   
5
     
30
 
Consolidated operating revenues
 
$
573,752
   
$
584,447
 

*
Includes segments that are not required to be reported separately, primarily the data processing services organization and the health clinic.
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Operating income:
       
Managed care
 
$
10,972
   
$
4,122
 
Life insurance
   
4,816
     
5,214
 
Property and casualty insurance
   
1,506
     
697
 
Other segments *
   
(163
)
   
(365
)
Total business segments
   
17,131
     
9,668
 
TSM operating revenues from external sources
   
14
     
39
 
TSM unallocated operating expenses
   
(5,603
)
   
(2,163
)
Elimination of TSM intersegment charges
   
2,405
     
2,429
 
Consolidated operating income
   
13,947
     
9,973
 
Consolidated net realized investment gains
   
6,213
     
126
 
Consolidated interest expense
   
(2,182
)
   
(2,305
)
Consolidated other income, net
   
1,759
     
246
 
Consolidated income before taxes
 
$
19,737
   
$
8,040
 
                 
Depreciation and amortization expense:
               
Managed care
 
$
3,479
   
$
4,285
 
Life insurance
   
270
     
223
 
Property and casualty insurance
   
102
     
123
 
Other segments*
   
126
     
258
 
Total business segments
   
3,977
     
4,889
 
TSM depreciation expense
   
197
     
216
 
Consolidated depreciation and amortization expense
 
$
4,174
   
$
5,105
 
 
*
Includes segments that are not required to be reported separately, primarily the data processing services organization and the health clinic.
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
   
March 31,
2015
   
December 31,
2014
 
Assets:
       
Managed care
 
$
1,014,070
   
$
975,999
 
Life insurance
   
782,259
     
764,268
 
Property and casualty insurance
   
358,873
     
362,620
 
Other segments *
   
23,404
     
22,682
 
Total business segments
   
2,178,606
     
2,125,569
 
Unallocated amounts related to TSM:
               
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments
   
61,381
     
44,157
 
Property and equipment, net
   
20,201
     
20,415
 
Other assets
   
37,728
     
37,851
 
     
119,310
     
102,423
 
Elimination entries-intersegment receivables and others
   
(97,911
)
   
(82,256
)
Consolidated total assets
 
$
2,200,005
   
$
2,145,736
 

*
Includes segments that are not required to be reported separately, primarily the data processing services organization and the health clinic.
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

(4)
Investment in Securities

The amortized cost for debt securities and cost for equity securities, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses, and estimated fair value for available-for-sale and held-to-maturity securities by major security type and class of security at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, were as follows:
 
   
March 31, 2015
 
   
Amortized
cost
   
Gross
unrealized
gains
   
Gross
unrealized
losses
   
Estimated
fair value
 
Securities available for sale:
               
Fixed maturities:
               
Obligations of government-sponsored enterprises
 
$
114,957
   
$
1,745
   
$
-
   
$
116,702
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government instrumentalities
   
125,370
     
1,373
     
(2
)
   
126,741
 
Obligations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its instrumentalities
   
27,353
     
-
     
(12
)
   
27,341
 
Municipal securities
   
571,917
     
49,912
     
-
     
621,829
 
Corporate bonds
   
116,770
     
19,768
     
-
     
136,538
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities
   
3,475
     
216
     
-
     
3,691
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   
43,194
     
1,705
     
-
     
44,899
 
Total fixed maturities
   
1,003,036
     
74,719
     
(14
)
   
1,077,741
 
Equity securities - Mutual funds
   
147,304
     
45,679
     
-
     
192,983
 
Total
 
$
1,150,340
   
$
120,398
   
$
(14
)
 
$
1,270,724
 
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

   
December 31, 2014
 
   
Amortized
cost
   
Gross
unrealized
gains
   
Gross
unrealized
losses
   
Estimated
fair value
 
Securities available for sale:
               
Fixed maturities:
               
Obligations of government-sponsored enterprises
 
$
129,649
   
$
1,014
   
$
(19
)
 
$
130,644
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government instrumentalities
   
94,480
     
648
     
(28
)
   
95,100
 
Obligations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its instrumentalities
   
35,115
     
138
     
-
     
35,253
 
Municipal securities
   
585,088
     
49,181
     
(50
)
   
634,219
 
Corporate bonds
   
147,224
     
17,744
     
(134
)
   
164,834
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities
   
6,808
     
311
     
-
     
7,119
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   
46,921
     
1,809
     
-
     
48,730
 
Total fixed maturities
   
1,045,285
     
70,845
     
(231
)
   
1,115,899
 
Equity securities - Mutual funds
   
150,799
     
47,049
     
(92
)
   
197,756
 
Total
 
$
1,196,084
   
$
117,894
   
$
(323
)
 
$
1,313,655
 

   
March 31, 2015
 
   
Amortized
cost
   
Gross
unrealized
gains
   
Gross
unrealized
losses
   
Estimated
fair value
 
Securities held to maturity:
 
   
   
   
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government instrumentalities
 
$
622
   
$
213
   
$
-
   
$
835
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities
   
217
     
23
     
-
     
240
 
Certificates of deposit
   
2,105
     
-
     
-
     
2,105
 
Total
 
$
2,944
   
$
236
   
$
-
   
$
3,180
 
 
   
December 31, 2014
 
   
Amortized
cost
   
Gross
unrealized
gains
   
Gross
unrealized
losses
   
Estimated
fair value
 
Securities held to maturity:
 
   
   
   
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government instrumentalities
 
$
622
   
$
198
   
$
-
   
$
820
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities
   
217
     
21
     
-
     
238
 
Certificates of deposit
   
2,105
     
-
     
-
     
2,105
 
Total
 
$
2,944
   
$
219
   
$
-
   
$
3,163
 
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

Gross unrealized losses on investment securities and the estimated fair value of the related securities, aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:

   
March 31, 2015
 
   
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or longer
   
Total
 
   
Estimated
Fair Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Loss
   
Number of
Securities
   
Estimated
Fair Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Loss
   
Number of
Securities
   
Estimated
Fair Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Loss
   
Number of
Securities
 
Securites available for sale:
                                   
Fixed maturities:
                                   
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. government instrumentalities
 
$
27,528
   
$
(2
)
   
1
   
$
-
   
$
-
     
-
   
$
27,528
   
$
(2
)
   
1
 
Obligations of government-Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its instrumentalities
   
16,417
     
(12
)
   
6
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
16,417
     
(12
)
   
6
 
Total for securities available for sale
 
$
43,945
   
$
(14
)
   
7
   
$
-
   
$
-
     
-
   
$
43,945
   
$
(14
)
   
7
 

   
December 31, 2014
 
   
Less than 12 months
   
12 months or longer
   
Total
 
   
Estimated
Fair Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Loss
   
Number of
Securities
   
Estimated
Fair Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Loss
   
Number of
Securities
   
Estimated
Fair Value
   
Gross
Unrealized
Loss
   
Number of
Securities
 
Securites available for sale:
                                   
Fixed maturities:
                                   
Obligations of government-sponsored enterprises
 
$
43,105
   
$
(19
)
   
2
   
$
-
   
$
-
     
-
     
43,105
     
(19
)
   
2
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S. governmental instrumentalities
   
39,966
     
(28
)
   
2
   
$
-
   
$
-
     
-
     
39,966
     
(28
)
   
2
 
Municipal securities
   
6,749
     
(24
)
   
3
     
6,693
     
(26
)
   
3
     
13,442
     
(50
)
   
6
 
Corporate bonds
   
17,053
     
(50
)
   
4
     
20,405
     
(84
)
   
4
     
37,458
     
(134
)
   
8
 
Total fixed maturities
   
106,873
     
(121
)
   
11
     
27,098
     
(110
)
   
7
     
133,971
     
(231
)
   
18
 
Equity securities - Mutual funds
   
7,773
     
(92
)
   
2
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
7,773
     
(92
)
   
2
 
Total for securities available for sale
 
$
114,646
   
$
(213
)
   
13
   
$
27,098
   
$
(110
)
   
7
   
$
141,744
   
$
(323
)
   
20
 

The Corporation regularly monitors and evaluates the difference between the amortized cost and estimated fair value of investments.  For investments with a fair value below amortized cost, the process includes evaluating: (1) the length of time and the extent to which the estimated fair value has been less than amortized cost for fixed maturity securities, or cost for equity securities, (2) the financial condition, near-term and long-term prospects for the issuer, including relevant industry conditions and trends, and implications of rating agency actions, (3) the Company’s intent to sell or the likelihood of a required sale prior to recovery, (4) the recoverability of principal and interest for fixed maturity securities, or cost for equity securities, and (5) other factors, as applicable.  This process is not exact and requires further consideration of risks such as credit and interest rate risks.  Consequently, if an investment’s cost exceeds its estimated fair value solely due to changes in interest rates, other-than temporary impairment may not be appropriate.
 
Due to the subjective nature of the Corporation’s analysis, along with the judgment that must be applied in the analysis, it is possible that the Corporation could reach a different conclusion whether or not to impair a security if it had access to additional information about the investee.  Additionally, it is possible that the investee’s ability to meet future contractual obligations may be different than what the Corporation determined during its analysis, which may lead to a different impairment conclusion in future periods.
 
If after monitoring and analyzing impaired securities, the Corporation determines that a decline in the estimated fair value of any available-for-sale or held-to-maturity security below cost is other-than-temporary, the carrying amount of the security is reduced to its fair value in accordance with current accounting guidance.  The new cost basis of an impaired security is not adjusted for subsequent increases in estimated fair value.  In periods subsequent to the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment, the impaired security is accounted for as if it had been purchased on the measurement date of the impairment.  For debt securities, the discount (or reduced premium) based on the new cost basis may be accreted into net investment income in future periods based on prospective changes in cash flow estimates, to reflect adjustments to the effective yield.
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
The Corporation’s process for identifying and reviewing invested assets for other-than temporary impairments during any quarter includes the following:
 
Identification and evaluation of securities that have possible indications of other-than-temporary impairment, which includes an analysis of all investments with gross unrealized investment losses that represent 20% or more of their cost and all investments with an unrealized loss greater than $100.
 
Review and evaluation of any other security based on the investee’s current financial condition, liquidity, near-term recovery prospects, implications of rating agency actions, the outlook for the business sectors in which the investee operates and other factors.  This evaluation is in addition to the evaluation of those securities with a gross unrealized investment loss representing 20% or more of their cost.
 
Consideration of evidential matter, including an evaluation of factors or triggers that may or may not cause individual investments to qualify as having other-than-temporary impairments.
 
Determination of the status of each analyzed security as other-than-temporary or not, with documentation of the rationale for the decision; and
 
Equity securities are considered to be impaired when a position is in an unrealized loss for a period longer than 6 months.
 
The Corporation reviews the investment portfolios under the Corporation’s impairment review policy.  Given market conditions and the significant judgments involved, there is a continuing risk that declines in fair value may occur and material other-than-temporary impairments may be recorded in future periods.  The Corporation from time to time may sell investments as part of its asset/liability management process or to reposition its investment portfolio based on current and expected market conditions.
 
Obligations of Government-Sponsored Enterprises, and Obligations of U.S. Government Instrumentalities:  The unrealized losses on the Corporation’s investments in obligations of Government Sponsored Enterprises and U.S. Government Instrumentalities were mainly caused by fluctuations in interest rates and general market conditions.  The contractual terms of these investments do not permit the issuer to settle the securities at a price less than the par value of the investment.  In addition, these investments have investment grade ratings. Because the decline in fair value is attributable to changes in interest rates and not credit quality; because the Corporation does not intend to sell the investments and it is not more likely than not that the Corporation will be required to sell the investments before recovery of their amortized cost basis, which may be maturity; and because the Corporation expects to collect all contractual cash flows, these investments are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired.
 
Obligations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its Instrumentalities: Our holdings in Puerto Rico municipals can be divided in (1) escrowed bonds with a fair value of $16,417 and a gross unrealized loss of $12, and (2) bonds issued by the Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corporation (Cofina) with a fair value of $10,924 and no unrealized gain or loss after the other-than-temporary impairment.  As described below, an other-than-temporary impairment was recorded for the Cofina positions as of March 31, 2015 for a total amount of $1,202.
 
Besides holdings in escrowed bonds, which are backed by US Government securities and therefore have an implicit AA+/Aaa rating, our positions are in senior lien bonds issued by Cofina. These sales tax bonds are secured by a 7% sales tax levied on the island, of which 1.5% is allocated to municipalities.  Of the remaining 5.5%, the largest of 3.5% or a base amount is pledged to these sales tax bonds. The percentage pledged to the sales tax bonds was increased in October 2013 from 2.75% to 3.5%.  In terms of flow of funds, the 5.5% remaining revenue is first used for debt service on the senior lien bonds, then for debt service on the subordinated bonds and the excess flows into the General Fund.
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
On June 28, 2014, Act 71-2014, known as the Puerto Rico Public Corporations Debt Enforcement and Recovery Act (the Recovery Act) was signed into law to provide a legal framework for restructuring public corporation debt. The central government, municipalities and related agencies (including Cofina and Puerto Rico’s Government Development Bank (GDB)) are explicitly not eligible, i.e. these cannot be restructured under this new act. In other words, the Act makes a clear distinction between the central government and its related entities versus the agencies and public corporations. Both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s (S&P) have taken various ratings actions on the back of this new legislation, including on those credits that were explicitly excluded under the new Act. The rating agencies have positioned their ratings of bonds issued by Cofina closer to that of General Obligation debt.
 
S&P notes that the legislation is indicative of the growing economic and fiscal challenges for the Commonwealth as a whole, which could lead to additional liquidity pressures. S&P also mentions that this legislation may also signal a potential shift in the Commonwealth’s historically strong willingness to continue to meet its obligations to bondholders. On July 11, 2014, S&P lowered its Cofina rating for senior lien bonds from AA- to BBB, combined with a negative outlook. According to Moody’s, the new law marks the end of the Commonwealth’s long history of taking actions needed to support its debt. The rating agency notes that it signals a depleted capacity for revenue increases and austerity measures, and a new preference for shifting fiscal pressures to creditors. In Moody’s view this has implications for all of Puerto Rico’s debt, i.e. not only of the public corporations but also of the central government. On July 1, 2014, Moody’s lowered its Cofina ratings from Baa1 to Ba3 for senior lien bonds, combined with a negative outlook.
 
On February 6, 2015, the U.S. District Court of Puerto Rico ruled the Recovery Act unconstitutional, noting that it overstepped federal law and enjoining Commonwealth officials from enforcing it. As a response, the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, a non-voting member of the U.S. House of Representatives, filed a bill seeking to allow the public corporations to restructure their debt under Chapter 9 of the federal bankruptcy code, if needed.
 
On February 11, 2015, the Puerto Rico Government proposed a 16 percent value-added tax on goods and services to replace the 7 percent sales and use tax, in combination with lower income tax rates, in an attempt to raise additional revenue, encourage savings and stimulate economic development. The change to a value-added tax system could create increased uncertainty with regards to the Cofina sales tax pledge in terms of pledged revenues and bond covenants.  On February 12, 2015, S&P lowered the rating of Cofina senior lien bonds to “B”, maintaining a negative outlook, noting that a new value added tax will create increased uncertainty as to the timing of receipts of pledged revenues and whether bond covenants separating the tax revenue from that of the central government may be maintained. On February 19, 2015, Moody’s also lowered the rating of Cofina senior lien bonds to “B3”, maintaining a negative outlook.  On April 24, 2015, S&P once again downgraded Cofina senior lien bonds from “B” to “CCC+”, combined with a negative credit watch. The rating agency cited constrained market access and diminished liquidity. On April 30, 2015, the Puerto Rico House of Representatives rejected the tax reform bill.
 
On the back of these events, bond prices of most Puerto Rico credits, including Cofina senior lien bonds, have deteriorated further in this quarter.
 
The Company considered its Cofina positions other-than-temporarily impaired for a total amount of $1,202 as of March 31, 2015, because: (a) the financial position of the Commonwealth has deteriorated further, evidenced by a lack of liquidity and market access, (b) discussions about across the board restructuring of all Puerto Rico credits could have negative implications for our Cofina bonds, (c) a change to a value-added tax system could create increased uncertainty with regards to the Cofina sales tax pledge.
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
Maturities of investment securities classified as available for sale and held to maturity at March 31, 2015 were as follows:
 
   
March 31, 2015
 
   
Amortized
cost
   
Estimated
fair value
 
Securities available for sale:
       
Due in one year or less
 
$
29,029
   
$
29,073
 
Due after one year through five years
   
355,438
     
364,470
 
Due after five years through ten years
   
98,874
     
107,625
 
Due after ten years
   
473,026
     
527,983
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities
   
3,475
     
3,691
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   
43,194
     
44,899
 
   
$
1,003,036
   
$
1,077,741
 
Securities held to maturity:
               
Due in one year or less
 
$
2,106
   
$
2,106
 
Due after ten years
   
621
     
834
 
Residential mortgage-backed securities
   
217
     
240
 
   
$
2,944
   
$
3,180
 

Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because some issuers have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.
 
Information regarding realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:
 
   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Realized gains (losses):
 
   
 
Fixed maturity securities:
 
   
 
Securities available for sale:
 
   
 
Gross gains from sales
 
$
4,009
   
$
1,323
 
Gross losses from sales
   
(275
)
   
(1,845
)
Gross losses from other-than-temporary impairments
   
(1,202
)
   
-
 
Total debt securities
   
2,532
     
(522
)
Securities available for sale:
               
Gross gains from sales
   
3,736
     
1,919
 
Gross losses from sales
   
(55
)
   
(1,271
)
Total equity securities
   
3,681
     
648
 
Net realized gains on securities
 
$
6,213
   
$
126
 

The other-than-temporary impairments on fixed maturity securities are attributable to credit losses.
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Changes in net unrealized gains (losses):
 
   
 
Recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income:
 
   
 
Fixed maturities – available for sale
 
$
4,091
   
$
23,755
 
Equity securities – available for sale
   
(1,278
)
   
2,655
 
   
$
2,813
   
$
26,410
 
Not recognized in the consolidated financial statements:
               
Fixed maturities – held to maturity
 
$
17
   
$
2
 

The deferred tax liability on unrealized gains change recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $1,019 and $4,108, respectively.
 
As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, no individual investment in securities exceeded 10% of stockholders’ equity.
 
The components of net investment income were as follows:

   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Fixed maturities
 
$
9,349
   
$
9,670
 
Equity securities
   
1,347
     
1,346
 
Policy loans
   
131
     
125
 
Cash equivalents and interest-bearing deposits
   
30
     
12
 
Other
   
61
     
198
 
Total
 
$
10,918
   
$
11,351
 

(5)
Premiums and Other Receivables, Net
 
Premiums and other receivables, net as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:

   
March 31,
2015
   
December 31,
2014
 
Premium
 
$
128,880
   
$
114,776
 
Self-funded group receivables
   
71,941
     
78,909
 
FEHBP
   
14,069
     
12,384
 
Agent balances
   
21,752
     
25,300
 
Accrued interest
   
10,331
     
11,737
 
Reinsurance recoverable
   
50,743
     
50,686
 
Unsettled sales
   
1,773
     
10,456
 
Other
   
47,665
     
47,742
 
     
347,154
     
351,990
 
Less allowance for doubtful receivables:
               
Premium
   
26,415
     
28,983
 
Other
   
7,787
     
7,385
 
     
34,202
     
36,368
 
Total premium and other receivables, net
 
$
312,952
   
$
315,622
 
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

(6)
Claim Liabilities

The activity in the total claim liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:

   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Claim liabilities at beginning of period
 
$
390,086
   
$
420,421
 
Reinsurance recoverable on claim liabilities
   
(40,635
)
   
(37,557
)
Net claim liabilities at beginning of period
   
349,451
     
382,864
 
Incurred claims and loss-adjustment expenses:
               
Current period insured events
   
447,162
     
470,371
 
Prior period insured events
   
(21,609
)
   
(26,519
)
Total
   
425,553
     
443,852
 
Payments of losses and loss-adjustment expenses:
               
Current period insured events
   
244,728
     
241,871
 
Prior period insured events
   
168,592
     
178,750
 
Total
   
413,320
     
420,621
 
Net claim liabilities at end of period
   
361,684
     
406,095
 
Reinsurance recoverable on claim liabilities
   
39,958
     
40,615
 
Claim liabilities at end of period
 
$
401,642
   
$
446,710
 

As a result of differences between actual amounts and estimates of insured events in prior years, the amounts included as incurred claims for prior period insured events differ from anticipated claims incurred.
 
The credit in the incurred claims and loss-adjustment expenses for prior period insured events for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is due primarily to better than expected cost and utilization trends.  Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid claims is reported within the premium and other receivables, net in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
 
The claims incurred disclosed in this table exclude the portion of the change in the liability for future policy benefits expense, which amounted to $6,877 and $5,255 during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
 
(7)
Fair Value Measurements
 
Assets recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value.  Level inputs, as defined by current accounting guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures, are as follows:
 
Level Input:
  
Input Definition:
Level 1
  
Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets at the measurement date.
 
Level 2
  
Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability through corroboration with market data at the measurement date.
 
Level 3
  
Unobservable inputs that reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

The Corporation uses observable inputs when available. Fair value is based upon quoted market prices when available. The Corporation limits valuation adjustments to those deemed necessary to ensure that the security’s fair value adequately represents the price that would be received or paid in the marketplace. Valuation adjustments may include consideration of counterparty credit quality and liquidity as well as other criteria.  The estimated fair value amounts are subjective in nature and may involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment for certain financial instruments. Changes in the underlying assumptions used in estimating fair value could affect the results.  The fair value measurement levels are not indicative of risk of investment.
 
The fair value of investment securities is estimated based on quoted market prices for those or similar investments.  Additional information pertinent to the estimated fair value of investment in securities is included in note 4.
 
The following tables summarize fair value measurements by level at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 for assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
 
   
March 31, 2015
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Securities available for sale:
               
Fixed maturity securities
               
Obligations of government-sponsored enterprises
 
$
-
   
$
116,702
   
$
-
   
$
116,702
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S government instrumentalities
   
126,741
     
-
     
-
     
126,741
 
Obligations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its instrumentalities
   
-
     
27,341
     
-
     
27,341
 
Municipal securities
   
-
     
621,829
     
-
     
621,829
 
Corporate bonds
   
-
     
136,538
     
-
     
136,538
 
Residential agency mortgage-backed securities
   
-
     
3,691
     
-
     
3,691
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   
-
     
44,899
     
-
     
44,899
 
Total fixed maturities
   
126,741
     
951,000
     
-
     
1,077,741
 
Equity securities - Mutual funds
   
158,697
     
24,095
     
10,191
     
192,983
 
                                 
Total
 
$
285,438
   
$
975,095
   
$
10,191
   
$
1,270,724
 

   
December 31, 2014
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Securities available for sale:
               
Fixed maturity securities
               
Obligations of government-sponsored enterprises
 
$
-
   
$
130,644
   
$
-
   
$
130,644
 
U.S. Treasury securities and obligations of U.S government instrumentalities
   
95,100
     
-
     
-
     
95,100
 
Obligations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and its instrumentalities
   
-
     
35,253
     
-
     
35,253
 
Municipal securities
   
-
     
634,219
     
-
     
634,219
 
Corporate bonds
   
-
     
164,834
     
-
     
164,834
 
Residential agency mortgage-backed securities
   
-
     
7,119
     
-
     
7,119
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations
   
-
     
48,730
     
-
     
48,730
 
Total fixed maturities
   
95,100
     
1,020,799
     
-
     
1,115,899
 
Equity securities - Mutual funds
   
160,461
     
23,946
     
13,349
     
197,756
 
                                 
Total
 
$
255,561
   
$
1,044,745
   
$
13,349
   
$
1,313,655
 
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

The fair value of fixed maturity and equity securities included in the Level 2 category were based on market values obtained from independent pricing services, which utilize evaluated pricing models that vary by asset class and incorporate available trade, bid and other market information and for structured securities, cash flow and when available loan performance data.  Because many fixed income securities do not trade on a daily basis, the models used by independent pricing service providers to prepare evaluations apply available information, such as benchmark curves, benchmarking of like securities, sector groupings, and matrix pricing.  For certain equity securities, quoted market prices for the identical security are not always available and the fair value is estimated by reference to similar securities for which quoted prices are available.  The independent pricing service providers monitor market indicators, industry and economic events, and for broker-quoted only securities, obtain quotes from market makers or broker-dealers that they recognize to be market participants. The fair value of the investments in partnerships included in the Level 3 category was based on the net asset value (NAV) which is affected by the changes in the fair market value of the investments held in these partnerships.
 
Transfers into or out of the Level 3 category occur when unobservable inputs, such as the Company’s best estimate of what a market participant would use to determine a current transaction price, become more or less significant to the fair value measurement.  Transfers between levels, if any, are recorded as of the actual date of the event or change in circumstance that caused the transfer.  There were no transfers in and/or out of Level 3 and between Levels 1 and 2 during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:
 
   
Three months ended
 
   
March 31, 2015
   
March 31, 2014
 
   
Fixed
Maturity
Securities
   
Equity
Securities
   
Total
   
Fixed
Maturity
Securities
   
Equity
Securities
   
Total
 
Beginning balance
 
$
-
   
$
13,349
   
$
13,349
   
$
-
   
$
17,910
   
$
17,910
 
Realized gains
   
-
     
1,412
     
1,412
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Unrealized gain in other accumulated comprehensive income
   
-
     
(2,602
)
   
(2,602
)
   
-
     
958
     
958
 
Purchases
   
-
     
79
     
79
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Distributions received
   
-
     
(2,047
)
   
(2,047
)
   
-
     
-
     
-
 
Ending balance
 
$
-
   
$
10,191
   
$
10,191
   
$
-
   
$
18,868
   
$
18,868
 

In addition to the preceding disclosures on assets recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets, accounting guidance also requires the disclosure of fair values for certain other financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate fair value, whether or not such values are recognized in the consolidated balance sheets.
 
Non-financial instruments such as property and equipment, other assets, deferred income taxes and intangible assets, and certain financial instruments such as claim liabilities are excluded from the fair value disclosures. Therefore, the fair value amounts cannot be aggregated to determine our underlying economic value.
 
The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and short-term borrowings approximate fair value because of the short term nature of these items.  These assets and liabilities are not listed in the table below.
 
The following methods, assumptions and inputs were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:
 
(i)
Policy Loans
 
Policy loans have no stated maturity dates and are part of the related insurance contract. The carrying amount of policy loans approximates fair value because their interest rate is reset periodically in accordance with current market rates.
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

(ii)
Policyholder Deposits
 
The fair value of policyholder deposits is the amount payable on demand at the reporting date, and accordingly, the carrying value amount approximates fair value.
 
(iii)
Long-term Borrowings
 
The carrying amount of the loans payable to bank – variable approximates fair value due to its floating interest-rate structure.  The fair value of the senior unsecured notes payable was determined using broker quotations.
 
(iv)
Repurchase Agreement
 
The value of the repurchase agreement with a long term maturity is based on the discounted value of the contractual cash flows using current estimated market discount rates for instruments with similar terms.
 
A summary of the carrying value and fair value by level of financial instruments not recorded at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are as follows:
 
   
March 31, 2015
 
   
Carrying
   
Fair Value
 
   
Value
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Assets:
 
   
   
   
   
 
Policy loans
 
$
7,397
   
$
-
   
$
7,397
   
$
-
   
$
7,397
 
                                         
Liabilities:
                                       
Policyholder deposits
 
$
119,171
   
$
-
   
$
119,171
   
$
-
   
$
119,171
 
Long-term borrowings:
                                       
Loans payable to bank - variable
   
14,057
     
-
     
14,057
     
-
     
14,057
 
6.6% senior unsecured notes payable
   
35,000
     
-
     
35,261
     
-
     
35,261
 
Repurchase agreement
   
25,000
     
-
     
27,138
     
-
     
27,138
 
Total long-term borrowings
   
74,057
     
-
     
76,456
     
-
     
76,456
 
Total liabilities
 
$
193,228
   
$
-
   
$
195,627
   
$
-
   
$
195,627
 

   
December 31, 2014
 
   
Carrying
   
Fair Value
 
   
Value
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Assets:
 
   
   
   
   
 
Policy loans
 
$
7,260
   
$
-
   
$
7,260
   
$
-
   
$
7,260
 
                                         
Liabilities:
                                       
Policyholder deposits
 
$
118,912
   
$
-
   
$
118,912
   
$
-
   
$
118,912
 
Long-term borrowings:
                                       
Loans payable to bank - variable
   
14,467
     
-
     
14,467
     
-
     
14,467
 
6.6% senior unsecured notes payable
   
35,000
     
-
     
33,513
     
-
     
33,513
 
Repurchase agreement
   
25,000
     
-
     
25,337
     
-
     
25,337
 
Total long-term borrowings
   
74,467
     
-
     
73,317
     
-
     
73,317
 
Total liabilities
 
$
193,379
   
$
-
   
$
192,229
   
$
-
   
$
192,229
 
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

(8)
Share-Based Compensation

Share-based compensation expense recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $1,883 and $625, respectively.  There were no stock option exercises during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
(9)
Comprehensive Income
 
The accumulated balances for each classification of other comprehensive income, net of tax, are as follows:

   
Net unrealized
gain on
securities
   
Liability for
pension
benefits
   
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
income
 
Balance at January 1, 2015
 
$
101,467
   
$
(52,691
)
 
$
48,776
 
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
   
832
     
-
     
832
 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
   
962
     
826
     
1,788
 
Net current period change
   
1,794
     
826
     
2,620
 
Balance at March 31, 2015
 
$
103,261
   
$
(51,865
)
 
$
51,396
 

(10)
Income Taxes
 
Under Puerto Rico income tax law, the Corporation is not allowed to file consolidated tax returns with its subsidiaries.  The Corporation and its subsidiaries are subject to Puerto Rico income taxes.  The Corporation’s insurance subsidiaries are also subject to U.S. federal income taxes for foreign source dividend income.
 
Managed Care and Property and Casualty corporations are taxed essentially the same as other corporations, with taxable income primarily determined on the basis of the statutory annual statements filed with the insurance regulatory authorities. The corporations are also subject to an alternative minimum income tax, which is calculated based on the formula established by existing tax laws. Any alternative minimum income tax paid may be used as a credit against the excess, if any, of regular income tax over the alternative minimum income tax in future years.
 
The Corporation, through one of its Managed Care corporations, has a branch in the United States Virgin Islands that is subject to a 5% premium tax on policies underwritten therein. As a qualified foreign insurance company, the Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. Virgin Islands, which has implemented a mirror tax law based on the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.  The branch operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands had certain net operating losses for U.S. Virgin Islands tax purposes for which a valuation allowance has been recorded.
 
Companies within our Life Insurance segment operate as qualified domestic life insurance companies and are subject to the alternative minimum tax and taxes on its capital gains.
 
All other corporations within the group are subject to Puerto Rico income taxes as regular corporations, as defined in the P.R. Internal Revenue Code, as amended.  The holding company within the Triple-S Advantage, Inc. (TSA) group of companies is a U.S.-based corporation and is subject to U.S. federal income taxes.  This U.S.-based corporation within our group has not provided U.S. deferred taxes on an outside basis difference created as a result of the business combination of TSA and cumulative earnings of its Puerto Rico-based subsidiaries that are considered to be indefinitely reinvested.  The total outside basis difference at December 31, 2014 is estimated at $54,000.  We do not intend to repatriate earnings to fund U.S. and Puerto Rico operations nor do any transaction that would cause a reversal of that outside basis difference.  Because of the availability of U.S. foreign tax credits, it is not practicable to determine the U.S. federal income tax liability if such outside basis difference was reversed.
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

 
On July 1, 2014, the Governor of Puerto Rico signed into law Act No. 77 including multiple amendments to the Puerto Rico tax code that had a direct impact on the tax liabilities of individual and corporate taxpayers.  The amendments to the Puerto Rico tax code include, among others, changes to the corporate tax rate on long-term capital gains, which was increased from 15% to 20% for all transactions occurring after June 30, 2014.
 
Act No. 77 of 2014 also included changes to the gross receipts tax, (1) eliminating the additional gross receipts tax as a component of the corporate alternative minimum tax commencing on January 1, 2014 and thereafter, and (2) adding a new gross receipts tax.  Although the new gross receipts tax will be an additional tax on the Corporation’s gross income, it will be deductible for purposes of computing taxable income, but only to the extent that the new gross receipts tax is paid on or before the filing date of the income tax return.  The impact of the amendments to the gross receipts tax was not significant to the results of operations.
 
Act No. 77 also allowed corporations to elect, during the period running from July 1, 2014 to October 31, 2014, to prepay at a reduced income tax rate of 12% on the increase in value of long-term capital assets.  On December 22, 2014 and March 30, 2015, the Governor of Puerto Rico signed into law Act No. 238 and Act No. 44, respectively, providing further amendments to the provisions set forth by Act No.77, extending the period to prepay at the reduced tax rate of 12% on the increase in value of long-term capital assets until April 30, 2015.  In connection with this law, on April 15, 2015, the group of corporations that comprise TSM entered into a Closing Agreement with the Puerto Rico Department of Treasury.  The Closing Agreement, among other matters, was related with the payment of the preferential tax rate on the increase in value of some of its long-term capital assets, as permitted by Act No. 238 of 2014 and Act No. 44 of 2015.  The agreement also covered certain tax attributes of the Corporation.  Subsequently, during the three months ending June 30, 2015, as a result of the aforementioned tax laws and the Closing Agreement, the Company expects: (1) a benefit from the lower tax rate provided under these statutes, (2) to reassess the realizability of some of its deferred taxes and (3) to record a tax benefit of $3,129.
 
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings in the period that includes the enactment date.  Quarterly income taxes are calculated using the effective tax rate determined based on the income forecasted for the full fiscal year.
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

(11)
Pension Plan

The components of net periodic benefit cost for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
       
Service cost
 
$
897
   
$
1,027
 
Interest cost
   
1,900
     
2,261
 
Expected return on assets
   
(1,864
)
   
(2,073
)
Amortization of prior service benefit
   
(100
)
   
(121
)
Amortization of actuarial loss
   
1,454
     
1,156
 
Net periodic benefit cost
 
$
2,287
   
$
2,250
 

Employer Contributions: The Corporation disclosed in its audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 that it expected to contribute $8,000 to the pension program in 2015.  As of March 31, 2015, the Corporation has not made contributions to the pension program.
 
(12)
Stock Repurchase Program
 
In October 2014 the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $50,000 repurchase program of its Class B common stock. Repurchases are conducted through open-market purchases of Class B shares only, in accordance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company repurchased and retired under this program 683,173 shares at an average per share price of $22.15, for an aggregate cost of $14,997.
 
(13)
Net Income Available to Stockholders and Net Income per Share
 
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:

   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Numerator for earnings per share:
       
Net income attributable to TSM available to stockholders
 
$
14,836
   
$
6,955
 
Denominator for basic earnings per share:
               
Weighted average of common shares
   
26,497,642
     
27,268,046
 
Effect of dilutive securities
   
97,576
     
99,983
 
Denominator for diluted earnings per share
   
26,595,218
     
27,368,029
 
Basic net income per share attributable to TSM
 
$
0.56
   
$
0.26
 
Diluted net income per share attributable to TSM
 
$
0.56
   
$
0.25
 
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

(14)
Contingencies

Our business is subject to numerous laws and regulations promulgated by Federal, Puerto Rico, USVI, Costa Rica, BVI, and Anguilla governmental authorities. Compliance with these laws and regulations can be subject to government review and interpretation, as well as regulatory actions unknown and unasserted at this time. The Commissioner of Insurance of Puerto Rico, as well as other Federal, Puerto Rico, USVI, Costa Rica, BVI, and Anguilla government authorities, regularly make inquiries and conduct audits concerning the Company's compliance with such laws and regulations. Penalties associated with violations of these laws and regulations may include significant fines and exclusion from participating in certain publicly funded programs.
 
As of March 31, 2015, we are involved in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. We are also defendants in various other litigations and proceedings, some of which are described below.  Where the Company believes that a loss is both probable and estimable, such amounts have been recorded. Although we believe our estimates of such losses are reasonable, these estimates could change as a result of further developments in these matters. In other cases, it is at least reasonably possible that the Company may incur a loss related to one or more of the mentioned pending lawsuits or investigations, but the Company is unable to estimate the range of possible loss which may be ultimately realized, either individually or in the aggregate, upon their resolution.  The outcome of legal proceedings is inherently uncertain and pending matters for which accruals have not been established have not progressed sufficiently to enable us to estimate a range of possible loss, if any.  Given the inherent unpredictability of these matters, it is possible that an adverse outcome in one or more of these matters could have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition, operating results and/or cash flows of the Company.
 
Additionally, we may face various potential litigation claims that have not been asserted to date, including claims from persons purporting to have rights to acquire shares of the Corporation on favorable terms pursuant to agreements previously entered by our predecessor managed care subsidiary, Seguros de Servicios de Salud de Puerto Rico, Inc. (SSS), with physicians or dentists who joined our provider network to sell such new provider shares of SSS at a future date (Share Acquisition Agreements) or to have inherited such shares notwithstanding applicable transfer and ownership restrictions.
 
Claims by Heirs of Former Shareholders
 
The Company and Triple-S Salud, Inc. (TSS) are defending eight individual lawsuits, all filed in state court, from persons who claim to have inherited a total of 113 shares of the Company or one of its predecessors or affiliates (before giving effect to the 3,000-for-one stock split). While each case presents unique facts and allegations, the lawsuits generally allege that the redemption of the shares by the Company pursuant to transfer and ownership restrictions contained in the Company's (or its predecessors' or affiliates') articles of incorporation and bylaws was improper.
 
In one of these cases, entitled Vera Sánchez, et al, v. Triple-S, the plaintiffs argued that the redemption of shares was fraudulent and was not subject to the two-year statute of limitations contained in the local securities law. The Puerto Rico’s Court of First Instance dismissed the claim and determined it was time barred under the local securities law. On January 2012, Puerto Rico’s Court of Appeals upheld the dismissal. On March 28, 2012 the plaintiffs filed a petition for writ of certiorari before the Puerto Rico’s Supreme Court that was granted on May 31, 2012, and on October 1, 2013, reversed the dismissal, holding that the two-year statute of limitations contained in the local securities law did not apply and returning it to the Court of First Instance. Discovery is ongoing. Continuance of hearings is set for June 24, 2015.
 
In the second case, entitled Olivella Zalduondo, et al, v. Seguros de Servicios de Salud, et al, Puerto Rico’s Court of First Instance granted the Company’s motion to dismiss on grounds that the complaint was time-barred under the two-year statute of limitations of the local securities laws. On appeal, the Court of Appeals affirmed the decision of the lower court. Plaintiffs filed a petition for certiorari before the Puerto Rico’s Supreme Court which was granted on January 20, 2012. On January 8, 2013, Puerto Rico’s Supreme Court ruled that the applicable statute of limitations is the fifteen-year period of the Puerto Rico’s Civil Code for collection of monies. On January 28, 2013, the Company filed a motion for reconsideration which was subsequently denied. On March 26, 2013, plaintiffs amended the complaint for the second time and the Company answered on April 16, 2013. Discovery is ongoing.
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
In the third case, entitled Heirs of Dr. Juan Acevedo, et al, v. Triple-S Management Corporation, et al, the Puerto Rico’s Court of First Instance denied our motion for summary judgment based on its determination that there are material issues of fact in controversy. In response to our appeal, the Puerto Rico’s Court of Appeals confirmed the decision of the Puerto Rico’s Court of First Instance. Our request for reconsideration was denied in December 2011. A pretrial conference is set for August 10, 2015.
 
The fourth case, entitled Montilla López, et al, v. Seguros de Servicios de Salud, et al, was filed on November 29, 2011. The Company filed a motion to dismiss on the grounds that the claim is time barred under the local securities laws. On October 15, 2012, while the motion to dismiss was pending, plaintiffs amended their complaint. The court denied our motion to dismiss on January 24, 2013. The Company answered the complaint on March 8, 2013. Subsequently, plaintiffs amended their complaint and the Company filed its response on June 13, 2013. Discovery is ongoing and pretrial conference is set for May 27, 2015.
 
The fifth case, entitled Cebollero Santamaría v. Triple-S Salud, Inc., et al, was filed on March 26, 2013, and the Company filed its response on May 16, 2013. On October 29, 2013, the Company filed a motion for summary judgment on the grounds that the claim is time-barred under the fifteen-year statute of limitations of the Puerto Rico Civil Code for collection of monies and, in the alternative, that plaintiff failed to state a claim for which relief can be granted. The court allowed plaintiff to conduct limited discovery in connection with plaintiff’s opposition to our motion for summary judgment. On November 6, 2014, plaintiffs filed their opposition and a motion for summary judgment.  On February 3, 2015, TSS replied the opposition and opposed to the motion for summary judgment. The limited discovery is currently ongoing and the parties are awaiting court’s decision on their respective pleads.
 
The sixth case, entitled Irizarry Antonmattei, et al, v. Seguros de Servicios de Salud, et al, was filed on April 16, 2013 and the Company filed its response on June 21, 2013. On June 28, 2013, the Puerto Rico’s Court of First Instance ordered plaintiffs to reply to the Company’s response specifically on the matter of the statute of limitations applicable to the complaint. Plaintiffs failed to timely respond and the Company moved to dismiss. Plaintiffs subsequently moved to amend the complaint, which was granted by the court. On November 5, 2013, the Company moved to dismiss the first amended complaint on the grounds that it is time-barred under the fifteen-year statute of limitations of the Puerto Rico Civil Code for collection of monies. On December 16, 2013, plaintiffs filed an opposition, which the Company replied on January 7, 2014. On February 19, 2014, the court ordered plaintiffs to file a memorandum of law by April 22, 2014 regarding the validity of the restrictions on transfer applicable to the shares. On May 16, 2014, plaintiffs filed a motion for summary judgment, which the Company opposed on May 28, 2014. On June 16, 2014, the court ordered plaintiffs to file the memoranda of law and struck plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment. On September 18, 2014, the court denied our motion to dismiss. On September 29, 2014, the Company filed a motion for reconsideration, which was denied by the court on November 4, 2014.  On December 4, 2014, the Company filed a petition of Certiorari to the Court of Appeals of Puerto Rico, which was denied on April 1, 2015. Discovery is ongoing.
 
 The seventh case, entitled Allende Santos, et al, v. Triple-S Salud, et al, was filed on March 28, 2014. On July 2, 2014, the Company filed its response. Discovery is set to begin on or before April 30, 2015. A hearing is set for August 5, 2015.
 
The eighth case, entitled Gallardo Mendez, et al, v. Triple-S Management Corporation, was filed on December 30, 2014.  On March 13, 2015, TSM filed a motion to dismiss.  We are awaiting plaintiff's response to our motion to dismiss and further court proceedings.
 
Management believes the aforesaid claims are time barred under one or more statutes of limitations and will vigorously defend them on these grounds; however, as a result of the Puerto Rico Supreme Court’s decision to deny the applicability of the statute of limitations contained in the local securities law, some of these claims will likely be litigated on their merits.
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)


Joint Underwriting Association Litigations
 
On August 19, 2011, plaintiffs, purportedly a class of motor vehicle owners, filed an action in the United States District Court for the District of Puerto Rico against the Puerto Rico Joint Underwriting Association (JUA) and 18 other defendants, including TSP, alleging violations under the Puerto Rico Insurance Code, the Puerto Rico Civil Code, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and the local statute against organized crime and money laundering. JUA is a private association created by law to administer a compulsory public liability insurance program for motor vehicles in Puerto Rico (CLI). As required by its enabling act, JUA is composed of all the insurers that underwrite private motor vehicle insurance in Puerto Rico and exceed the minimum underwriting percentage established in such act. TSP is a member of JUA.
 
In this lawsuit, entitled Noemí Torres Ronda, et al v. Joint Underwriting Association, et al., plaintiffs allege that the defendants illegally charged and misappropriated a portion of the CLI premiums paid by motor vehicle owners in violation of the Puerto Rico Insurance Code. Specifically, they claim that because the defendants did not incur acquisition or administration costs allegedly totaling 12% of the premium dollar, charging for such costs constitutes the illegal traffic of premiums. Plaintiffs also claim that the defendants, as members of JUA, violated RICO through various inappropriate actions designed to defraud motor vehicle owners located in Puerto Rico and embezzle a portion of the CLI premiums for their benefit.
 
Plaintiffs seek the reimbursement of funds for the class amounting to $406,600 treble damages under RICO, and equitable relief, including a permanent injunction and declaratory judgment barring defendants from their alleged conduct and practices, along with costs and attorneys’ fees.
 
On December 30, 2011, TSP and other insurance companies filed a joint motion to dismiss, arguing, among other things, that plaintiffs’ claims are barred by the filed rate doctrine, inasmuch as a suit cannot be brought, even under RICO, to amend the compulsory liability insurance rates that were approved by the Puerto Rico Legislature and the Commissioner of Insurance of Puerto Rico.
 
On February 17, 2012, plaintiffs filed their opposition. On April 4, 2012, TSP filed a reply in support of our motion to dismiss, which was denied by the court. On October 2, 2012, the court issued an order certifying the class. On October 12, 2012, several defendants, including TSP, filed an appeal before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First District, requesting the court to vacate the District Court's certification order. The First Circuit denied the authorization to file the writ of appeals. Discovery has been completed. On November 3, 2014, all defendants, including TSP, filed a joint motion to decertify the class and, on November 17, 2014, a joint motion for summary judgment requesting the dismissal of the claim.  On February 2, 2015, the court ordered the stay of class notice proceedings. On March 10, 2015, plaintiff filed their opposition to the joint motion. We are awaiting further court proceedings.
 
In re Blue Cross Blue Shield Antitrust Litigation
 
TSS is a co-defendant with multiple Blue Plans and the BCBSA in a multi-district class action litigation filed on July 24, 2012 that alleges that the exclusive service area (ESA) requirements of the Primary License Agreements with Plans violate antitrust law, and the plaintiffs in these suits seek monetary awards and in some instances, injunctive relief barring ESAs. Those cases have been centralized in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. Prior to centralization, motions to dismiss were filed by several plans, including TSS. Plaintiffs opposed TSS’ motion to dismiss. On April 9, 2014, the Court held an argumentative hearing to discuss the motions to dismiss. During the hearing, the Court did not issue a ruling on the motions to dismiss thus, decision on said motions are still pending. On June 18, 2014, the court denied TSS’ motion to dismiss. Discovery is ongoing.  TSS refilled its motion to dismiss, asserting lack of personal jurisdiction and improper venue, which plaintiff opposed, and an argumentative hearing is set for May 19, 2015.   Discovery is ongoing.  Also, on April 6, 2015, plaintiffs filed suit in the United States District Court of Puerto Rico, which we believe does not preclude TSS’ jurisdictional arguments. The Company has joined BCBSA in vigorously contesting these claims.
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
Claims Relating to the Provision of Health Care Services
 
TSS is defendant in several claims for collection of monies in connection with the provision of health care services. Among them are individual complaints filed before the Puerto Rico Health Insurance Administration (ASES) by six community health centers alleging TSS’ breached their contracts with respect to certain capitation payments and other monetary claims. Such claims have an aggregate value of approximately $9,600. Discovery is ongoing, and given their early stage, the Company cannot assess the probability of an adverse outcome or the reasonable financial impact that any such outcome may have on the Company. TSS believes these complaints are time-barred and intends to vigorously defend them on these and other grounds.
 
Also, on June 5, 2014, ASES initiated an administrative hearing against TSS moved by a primary medical group for alleged outstanding claims related to services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries from 2005 to 2010, totaling approximately $3,000. On June 19, 2014, TSS filed its response.  The hearing officer ordered the parties to file a joint working plan and schedule, which the parties are executing.  Discovery is ongoing. TSS intends to vigorously defend this claim.
 
Intrusions into TCI’s Internet IPA Database
 
On September 21, 2010, the Company learned from a competitor that a specific internet database containing information pertaining to individuals insured at the time by TSS under the Government of Puerto Rico Medicaid program and to independent practice associations that provided services to those individuals, had been accessed without authorization by certain of its employees.
 
The Company reported these events to the appropriate Puerto Rico and federal government agencies. It then received and complied with requests for information from ASES and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which entities are conducting reviews of these data breaches and TSS' and TCI's compliance with applicable security and privacy rules. ASES levied a fine of $100 on TSS in connection with these incidents, but following the Company’s request for reconsideration, ASES withdrew the fine pending the outcome of the review by the OCR. The OCR has not issued its determination on this matter. The Company at this time cannot reasonably assess the impact of these proceedings on the Company.
 
Unauthorized Disclosure of Protected Health Information
 
On September 20, 2013, TSS mailed a pamphlet to our approximately 70,000 Medicare Advantage beneficiaries that inadvertently displayed the receiving beneficiary’s Medicare Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN). The HICN is the unique number assigned by the Social Security Administration to each Medicare beneficiary and is considered protected health information under HIPAA. TSS conducted an investigation and reported the incident to the appropriate Puerto Rico and federal government agencies. It then received and complied with requests for information from these agencies, ASES and OCR, concerning this matter. In accordance with its legal obligations under HIPAA, TSS issued a breach notification through the local media and notified all affected beneficiaries by mail, notifying them of certain protective measures as well.
 
On April 16, 2014, ASES received a complaint submitted by an American Health Medicare (now TSA) Platino product beneficiary alleging that a pamphlet distributed by TSA had Protected Health Information (PHI) visible on its external cover. TSA conducted the investigation of this allegation and discovered that the external cover of the pamphlets mailed to Platino members displayed the unique contract number randomly assigned by TSA to its members. This number combined with the name and address of the member identified each individual as an TSA Platino beneficiary and the use of the unique contract number on the outside of the pamphlets may be viewed as a violation of the HIPAA minimum necessary rule set forth in regulation. A total of 39,944 members were affected by the incident, from which 28,413 were Platino members. We treated this as a separate HIPAA-related incident. Therefore, we reported the incident to concerned local and federal regulators. Similarly, we issued a letter by mail and posted a substitute notice on our webpage to the affected individuals and notified the breach through the local media.
 
Triple-S Management Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
On February 11, 2014, ASES notified TSS of its intention to impose a civil monetary penalty of $6,800 and other administrative sanctions with respect to the September 2013 breach described above involving 13,336 dual eligible Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries. The sanctions include the suspension of all new enrollments of dual eligible Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries and the obligation to notify affected individuals of their right to disenroll. In its letter, ASES alleged TSS has failed to take all required steps in response to the breach. After TSS submitted a corrective action plan and, on February 21, 2014, ASES requested TSS to provide additional information in connection with the corrective action plan and, on February 26, 2014, ASES temporarily lifted the sanctions related to the enrollment of dual eligible Medicare beneficiaries. On March 6, 2014, ASES confirmed its determination lifting the enrollment sanction and notified its intention to provide TSS with corrective action plan. On March 11, 2014, TSS filed an answer challenging the monetary civil monetary penalty and requesting an administrative hearing and simultaneously filed a notice of removal in the federal District Court for the District of Puerto Rico. On April 10, 2014, ASES filed a motion to remand which was granted on March 31, 2015.  The parties are awaiting further administrative proceedings with ASES.
 
While TSS is collaborating with ASES on these matters, it intends to vigorously contest the monetary fine and other sanctions which are the subject of ASES’ notices. At this time, the Company is unable to determine the ultimate outcome of its challenge to ASES’ sanctions, the incident’s ultimate financial impact on TSS or what measures, if any, will be taken by the OCR or other regulators regarding this matter.
 
In connection with the September 30, 2013 event, four individuals have filed suit against TSS in the Court of First Instance of Puerto Rico. In the first case, filed on February 10, 2014, one individual, on his behalf and on behalf of his spouse asserts emotional damages due the disclosure of his protected health information. Discovery is ongoing. In the second case, filed on February 24, 2014, another individual filed a class-action suit claiming approximately $20,000 in damages. With respect with this class-action suit, on March 30, 2015 the court dismissed the claim with prejudice. In the third case, filed on April 23, 2014, another individual asserts emotional damages and identity theft. Discovery is ongoing. In the fourth case, filed on September 19, 2014, an individual asserts emotional damages in connection with this matter. The Company filed its response and discovery is ongoing.
 
The occurrence of any privacy or security breach involving the misappropriation, loss or other unauthorized disclosure of sensitive personal information, whether by us or by one of our third-party service providers, could have a material adverse effect on our reputation and business, including mandatory disclosure to the media, significant increases in the cost of managing and remediating privacy or security incidents and material fines, contract termination, penalties and litigation awards, among other consequences, any of which could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
 
ASES Audits
 
On July 2, 2014, ASES notified TSS that it conducted an audit reflecting an overpayment of premium in the amount of $7,900 corresponding to payments made to TSS pursuant to prior contracts with ASES for the provision of services under the government health plan as a result of audits conducted by ASES covering several periods from October 2005 to September 2013. TSS contends that ASES request for reimbursement has no merits on several grounds, including a 2011 settlement between both parties covering the majority of the amount claimed by ASES. In connection with ASES allegations, ASES withheld $4,800 in service fees corresponding to services provided for the period from October 2005 to September 2010. On August 29, 2014, ASES delivered the $4,800 previously withheld. On December 30, 2014, ASES sent a letter to TSS requesting the reimbursement of approximately $1,300 and, consequently, withheld service fees. On January 16, 2015, the Company filed suit and a preliminary injunction on the Court of First Instance of Puerto Rico requesting the payment of service fees and asserting various claims, including the validity of the agreement signed by the parties in 2011.  On January 29, 2015, a hearing was held in which ASES committed to deliver TSS services fees until March 31, 2015 in consideration of the negotiations being conducted by the parties.  On March 24, 2015, the court ruled that the scope of the 2011 settlement agreement did not preclude ASES from recovering “future claims” including the alleged improper payments. TSS moved for reconsideration and for the formulation of additional finding of facts.  An argumentative hearing is set for May 11, 2015.
 
(15)
Subsequent Events
 
The Company evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued.  No events, other than those described in these notes, have occurred that require adjustment or disclosure pursuant to current Accounting Standard Codification.
 
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
In this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A), the “Corporation”, the “Company”, “TSM”, “we”, “us” and “our” refers to Triple-S Management Corporation and its subsidiaries.  The MD&A included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is intended to update the reader on matters affecting the financial condition and results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015.  Therefore, the following discussion should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the MD&A included therein, and our unaudited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2015 included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
 
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
 
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other of our publicly available documents may include statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, among other things: statements concerning our business and our financial condition and results of operations.  These statements are not historical, but instead represent our belief regarding future events, any of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of our control.  These statements may address, among other things, future financial results, strategy for growth, and market position.  It is possible that our actual results and financial condition may differ, possibly materially, from the anticipated results and financial condition indicated in these forward-looking statements.  The factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements are discussed throughout this form.  We are not under any obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statement (and expressly disclaims any such obligations), whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, rising healthcare costs, business conditions and competition in the different insurance segments, government action and other regulatory issues.
 
Overview
 
We are one of the most significant players in the managed care industry in Puerto Rico and have over 50 years of experience in this industry.  We offer a broad portfolio of managed care and related products in the Commercial and Medicare Advantage markets.  In the Commercial market we offer products to corporate accounts, U.S. federal government employees, local government employees, individual accounts and Medicare Supplement.  We also participated in the Government of Puerto Rico Health Reform (a government of Puerto Rico-funded managed care program for the medically indigent that is similar to the Medicaid program in the U.S.) (Medicaid), by administering the provision of the physical health component in all of the eight service regions in Puerto Rico until March 31, 2015.  Effective April 1, 2015, we started to provide healthcare services in the Metro North and West regions of the Government's Health Plan on an at-risk basis.  For the three months ended March 31, 2015, operating income generated under the Medicaid program represented 29% of our consolidated operating income, compared to 34% for the same period in 2014.  See details of the Medicaid contract in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 under the sub-caption “We are dependent on a small number of government contracts to generate a significant amount of the revenues of our managed care business.
 
We have the exclusive right to use the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) name and mark throughout Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, the British Virgin Islands and Anguilla.  As of March 31, 2015, we served approximately 2,092,000 members across all regions of Puerto Rico.  For the three months ended March 31, 2015, our managed care segment represented approximately 89% of our total consolidated premiums earned, net and approximately 75% of our operating income.  We also have significant positions in the life insurance and property and casualty insurance markets in Puerto Rico.  Our life insurance segment had a market share of approximately 10% (in terms of direct premiums) during the year ended December 31, 2014.  Our property and casualty segment had a market share of approximately 8% (in terms of direct premiums) during the year ended December 31, 2014.
 
We participate in the managed care market through our subsidiaries, Triple-S Salud, Inc. (TSS) and Triple-S Advantage, Inc. (TSA).  TSS and TSA are Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) BCBSA licensees, which provides us with exclusive use of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield name and mark throughout Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
 
We participate in the life insurance market through our subsidiary, Triple-S Vida, Inc., and in the property and casualty insurance market through our subsidiary, Triple-S Propiedad, Inc. (TSP), each one representing approximately 7% and 4%, respectively, of our consolidated premiums earned, net for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
 
Intersegment revenues and expenses are reported on a gross basis in each of the operating segments but eliminated in the consolidated results.  Except as otherwise indicated, the numbers for each segment presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q do not reflect intersegment eliminations.  These intersegment revenues and expenses affect the amounts reported on the financial statement line items for each segment, but are eliminated in consolidation and do not change net income.  The following table shows premiums earned, net and net fee revenue and operating income for each segment, as well as the intersegment premiums earned, service revenues and other intersegment transactions, which are eliminated in the consolidated results:
 
   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
(Dollar amounts in millions)
 
2015
   
2014
 
Premiums earned, net:
       
Managed care
 
$
472.5
   
$
484.0
 
Life insurance
   
37.8
     
35.0
 
Property and casualty insurance
   
22.8
     
23.5
 
Intersegment premiums earned
   
(0.5
)
   
(0.6
)
Consolidated premiums earned, net
 
$
532.6
   
$
541.9
 
 
Administrative service fees:
               
Managed care
 
$
30.0
   
$
30.7
 
Intersegment administrative service fees
   
(0.9
)
   
(1.0
)
Consolidated administrative service fees
 
$
29.1
   
$
29.7
 
 
Operating income:
               
Managed care
 
$
11.0
   
$
4.1
 
Life insurance
   
4.8
     
5.2
 
Property and casualty insurance
   
1.5
     
0.7
 
Intersegment and other
   
(3.3
)
   
-
 
Consolidated operating income
 
$
14.0
   
$
10.0
 

Our revenues primarily consist of premiums earned, net and administrative service fees.  These revenues are derived from the sale of managed care products in the Commercial market to employer groups, individuals and government-sponsored programs, principally Medicare.  Premiums are derived from insurance contracts and administrative service fees are derived from self-funded contracts, under which we provide a range of services, including claims administration, billing and membership services, among others.  Revenues also include premiums earned from the sale of property and casualty and life insurance contracts, and investment income and revenues derived from other segments.  Substantially all of our earnings are generated in Puerto Rico.
 
Claims incurred include the payment of benefits and losses, mostly to physicians, hospitals and other service providers, and to policyholders.  Each segment’s results of operations depend to a significant extent on their ability to accurately predict and effectively manage claims.  A portion of the claims incurred for each period consists of claims reported but not paid during the period, as well as a management and actuarial estimate of claims incurred but not reported during the period.  Operating expenses consist primarily of compensation, commission payments to brokers and other overhead business expenses. Operating expenses also includes the Health Insurance Providers Fee paid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
 
We use operating income as a measure of performance of the underwriting and investment functions of our segments.  We also use the loss ratio and the operating expense ratio as measures of performance.  The loss ratio is claims incurred divided by premiums earned, net, multiplied by 100.  The operating expense ratio is operating expenses divided by premiums earned; net and administrative service fees, multiplied by 100.
 
Recent Developments

Puerto Rico’s Economy
 
Description
 
Puerto Rico’s economy entered a recession in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2006.  For fiscal years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 the real gross national product (GNP) contracted by 1.2%, 2.9%, 3.8%, 3.6%, and 1.7% respectively.  GNP grew by 0.9% and 0.3% in fiscal years 2012 and 2013, respectively.  According to the Puerto Rico Planning Board’s (the Planning Board) latest projections, made in April of 2014, it is projected that Puerto Rico’s real GNP for fiscal years 2014 and 2015 will grow by 0.1% and 0.2%, respectively.  However, the monthly economic indicators for the fiscal year 2014 indicate that the final GNP figures for the fiscal year may end up lower than the projection presented by the Planning Board.  The Planning Board is expected to publish a revision of this forecast during the second quarter of fiscal year 2015.
 
In fiscal year 2013, aggregate personal income was $63.4 billion and personal income per capita was $17,413.  Personal income includes transfer payments to individuals in Puerto Rico under various social programs.  Total United States federal transfer payments to individuals amounted to $15.6 billion in fiscal year 2013 and $15.7 billion in fiscal year 2012.
 
Total employment decreased at an average annual rate of 0.9% from 1,150,291 to 1,006,646 from fiscal year 2000 to fiscal year 2014.  A reduction in total employment began in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007 and has continued consistently through fiscal year 2014 due to the current recession and contractionary fiscal adjustment measures.  According to the Household Survey, during fiscal year 2014, total employment fell by 2.2% when compared to the prior fiscal year, and the unemployment rate averaged 14.3% compared to 14.0% for the prior fiscal year.  Furthermore, for the first quarter of fiscal year 2015, total employment decreased by 3.3% with respect the first quarter of fiscal year 2014.
 
The dominant sectors of the Puerto Rico economy in terms of production and income are manufacturing and services.  The manufacturing sector has undergone fundamental changes over the years as a result of the phase out of Section 936 of the United States Internal Revenue Code, which provided certain tax incentives for U.S. corporations doing business in Puerto Rico, and an increased emphasis on higher wages, high technology industries, such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, computers, microprocessors, professional and scientific instruments, and certain high technology machinery and equipment.  At the present time, almost 90% of manufacturing is generated by chemical and electronic products.  The services sector, which includes finance, insurance, real estate, wholesale and retail trade, transportation, communications and public utilities, and other services, plays a major role in the economy.  It ranks second to manufacturing in contribution to the gross domestic product and leads all sectors in providing employment.
 
The economy of Puerto Rico is affected by external factors determined by the U.S. economy and the policies, and results of the U.S. government.  These external factors include exports, direct investment, the amount of federal transfer payments, the level of interest rates, the rate of inflation, and revenues derived from tourism coming from the U.S.  Generally, the economy of Puerto Rico has followed the economic trends of the U.S. economy.  However, economic growth in Puerto Rico has not been consistent with the performance of the United States economy recently.  The government has faced a number of fiscal challenges, including an imbalance between its general fund revenues and expenditures, reaching its highest level in fiscal year 2009 with a deficit of $3.3 billion. Recurrent budget deficits have substantially increased the amount of public sector debt.  The total outstanding public sector debt amounted to $71.4 billion as of July 31, 2014.
 
Recent Measures
 
The Government of Puerto Rico has been focused on implementing a fiscal plan and other measures aimed to improve its fiscal situation, restoring economic growth and finding solutions for its underfunded pension system.  The fiscal plan consists of the following measures: (1) enhancing liquidity through market transactions, such as the $3.5 billion issuance of general obligation bonds and the planned issuance of a significant amount of bonds through the Puerto Rico Infrastructure Financing Authority, (2) providing a balanced budget without deficit financing through initiatives such as the enactment of the Fiscal Sustainability Act in order to ensure compliance with austerity measures and implement appropriations controls, (3) making the public corporations self-sufficient by raising rates, providing for new revenues and providing for an orderly debt adjustment process through the enactment on June 28, 2014 of the Puerto Rico Public Corporation Debt Enforcement and Recovery Act (the Recovery Act), and (4) reforming the tax code in order to increase government revenues and provide a sustainable economic growth.
 
The Recovery Act is intended to provide a legal framework for restructuring public corporation debt. The central government, municipalities and related agencies (including senior lien bonds issued by the Sales Tax Financing Corporation, (Cofina) were explicitly excluded from seeking relief under the provisions of the Recovery Act. In other words, the Recovery Act made a clear distinction between the central government, including its related entities, and the agencies or public corporations.
 
On February 6, 2015, the U.S. District Court of Puerto Rico ruled the Recovery Act unconstitutional, noting that it overstepped federal law and enjoined Commonwealth officials from enforcing it.  As a response, the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, a non-voting member of the U.S. House of Representatives, filed a bill seeking to allow the public corporations to restructure their debt under Chapter 9 of the federal bankruptcy code, if needed.
 
On February 11, 2015, in an attempt to raise additional revenue, encourage savings and stimulate economic development, the Governor of Puerto Rico presented a comprehensive tax reform bill that proposes to replace the 7% sales and use tax with a 16% value added tax in combination with lower income tax rates and other fiscal measures.  On April 30, 2015, the bill was rejected by the Puerto Rico House of Representatives.
 
On April 21, 2015, the Puerto Rico's Government Development Bank sent a letter to the Governor warning that a government closing in the next three months is very probable due to lack of liquidity to operate unless the government develops a long-term fiscal plan, approves a credible balanced budget and enacts a tax reform.
 
If the liquidity of the Government of Puerto Rico, its agencies, municipalities and public corporations becomes significantly affected as a result of the inability to raise funding in the market or generate enough revenues, we may face credit losses in our premium and fees receivable from these and other government related entities, which could be significant.
 
Rating Agencies and Markets
 
Since 2014, Standard & Poor’s (S&P) and Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) have taken several ratings actions, affecting both Puerto Rico general obligation bonds and the ratings of its public corporations’ issued debt.  The Company’s main exposure to Puerto Rico currently resides in its holdings of Cofina.
 
There have been several rounds of ratings downgrades by crediting agencies of certain Puerto Rico government bonds since 2014.  The first round began on February 4, 2014, when S&P lowered its rating for Puerto Rico general obligation bonds from “BBB-” to “BB+” noting liquidity constraints as the main reason for the downgrade.  On February 7, 2014 Moody’s downgraded Puerto Rico’s general obligation bonds from “Baa3” to “Ba2,” combined with a negative outlook, noting a high debt load and fixed costs, narrow liquidity and constrained market access.
 
The second round of ratings downgrades was during July 2014, after the enactment of the Recovery Act.  On July 1, 2014, Moody’s downgraded Puerto Rico’s general obligation bonds to “B2” and maintained a negative outlook.  According to Moody’s, the Recovery Act marked the end of the Commonwealth’s long history of taking actions needed to support its debt. The rating agency further noted that it signals a depleted capacity for revenue increases and austerity measures, and a new preference for shifting fiscal pressures to creditors.  Also on July 1, 2014, Moody’s downgraded Cofina senior bonds to “Ba3,” maintaining a negative outlook.  The rating agency also positioned the Cofina ratings closer to the rating of Puerto Rico general obligation bonds, reflecting their increased susceptibility to any action that impairs bondholders’ claims on sales tax revenues.  On July 11, 2014, S&P downgraded Puerto Rico general obligation bonds to “BB,” combined with a negative outlook and took similar action with the Cofina’s senior bonds downgrading them to “BBB,” maintaining a negative outlook. The downgrade positioned Cofina’s rating closer to that of the Puerto Rico’s general obligation bonds, as a result of the view that the Recovery Act raised the risk that Puerto Rico could seek additional changes in statutory law that could potentially reduce the separation in credit quality of the sales tax pledge from the central government’s finances, should financial stress on the general fund increase significantly.
 
On February 12, 2015, S&P downgraded Puerto Rico’s general obligation bonds to “B,” maintaining a negative outlook, noting the potential inability to meet debt commitments.  Also on February 12, 2015, S&P lowered the rating of Cofina senior lien bonds to “B,” maintaining a negative outlook, noting that the value added tax proposed by the Government of Puerto Rico in a recently introduced legislation would create increased uncertainty as to the timing of receipts of pledged revenues and whether bond covenants separating the tax revenue from that of the central government may be maintained.  On February 19, 2015, Moody’s lowered its rating of Puerto Rico’s general obligation bonds to “Caa1” maintaining a negative outlook, noting tax revenue shortfalls, narrow liquidity and the substantial growth in debt payments in the upcoming fiscal year.  Also on February 19, 2015, Moody’s lowered the rating of Cofina senior lien bonds to “B3”, maintaining a negative outlook.  On March 23, 2015, Moody’s noted that debt default discussions signal the rising likelihood of a consolidated debt restructuring that affects not only public corporations, but also general obligation bonds and other tax-backed securities (including Cofina senior bonds).
 
On April 24, 2015, S&P once again downgraded the general obligation bonds of the Commonwealth from “B” to “CCC+”, combined with a credit watch with negative implications. Cofina senior lien bonds were downgraded on the same day from “B” to “CCC+”, also combined with a negative credit watch. The rating agency cited constrained market access and diminished liquidity.
 
See Item 1A.   Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business – “We are dependent on a small number of government contracts to generate a significant amount of the revenues of our managed care business.’’ included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Managed Care – Medicare Advantage
 
On April 6, 2015, CMS published the Final MA Ratebook and Call Letter with the 2016 rates for MA plans. Despite an expected 3% average increase in MA rates for plans nationally, Puerto Rico’s MA rates will decrease approximately 11% compared to 2015 funding levels. We are preparing our 2016 bid based on the benefits currently required and a careful evaluation of the potential impact these rates reductions may have on our benefit design and product offering.

See Item 1A.   Risk Factors—Risks Related to the Regulation of Our Industry – “The revised rate calculation system for Medicare Advantage, the payment system for the Medicare Part D and changes in the methodology and payment policies used by CMS to establish rates could reduce our profitability and the benefits we offer our beneficiaries.’’ included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
 
Recent Accounting Standards
 
For a description of recent accounting standards, see note 2 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
 
Managed Care Membership

   
As of March 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Managed care enrollment:
       
Commercial 1
   
568,422
     
638,901
 
Medicare 2
   
116,292
     
119,817
 
Medicaid 3
   
1,407,045
     
1,398,243
 
Total
   
2,091,759
     
2,156,961
 
Managed care enrollment by funding arrangement:
               
Fully-insured
   
494,090
     
550,220
 
Self-insured
   
1,597,669
     
1,606,741
 
Total
   
2,091,759
     
2,156,961
 

(1)
Commercial membership includes corporate accounts, self-insured employers, individual accounts, Medicare Supplement, U.S. Federal government employees and local government employees.
(2)
Includes Medicare Advantage membership for 2015 and 2014, and stand-alone PDP plan membership only for 2014.
(3)
All are self-insured members.  Includes the members for all the eight regions served on a ASO basis.  Effective April 1, 2015, membership will decrease since we will be providing services to only two regions on an at risk basis.
 
Consolidated Operating Results
 
The following table sets forth the Corporation’s consolidated operating results.  Further details of the results of operations of each reportable segment are included in the analysis of operating results for the respective segments.

   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
(Dollar amounts in millions)
 
2015
   
2014
 
Revenues:
       
Premiums earned, net
 
$
532.6
   
$
541.9
 
Administrative service fees
   
29.1
     
29.7
 
Net investment income
   
10.9
     
11.4
 
Other operating revenues
   
1.2
     
1.5
 
Total operating revenues
   
573.8
     
584.5
 
Net realized investment gains
   
6.2
     
0.1
 
Other income, net
   
1.7
     
0.3
 
Total revenues
   
581.7
     
584.9
 
Benefits and expenses:
               
Claims incurred
   
432.4
     
449.1
 
Operating expenses
   
127.4
     
125.4
 
Total operating expenses
   
559.8
     
574.5
 
Interest expense
   
2.2
     
2.3
 
Total benefits and expenses
   
562.0
     
576.8
 
Income before taxes
   
19.7
     
8.1
 
Income tax expense
   
4.9
     
1.1
 
Net income attributable to TSM
 
$
14.8
   
$
7.0
 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Operating Revenues
 
Consolidated premiums earned, net for the three months ended March 31, 2015 decreased by $9.3 million, or 1.7%, to $532.6 million when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014.  This decrease is mostly driven by lower Managed Care premiums, by $11.5 million, primarily reflecting lower fully-insured membership in our Commercial accounts offset in part by higher Medicare premiums.  Life insurance premiums increased by $2.8 million during the 2015 period.
 
The consolidated administrative service fees of $29.1 million decreased by $0.6 million, or 2.0%, when compared to the same period in 2014, mostly as a result of the lower member month enrollment of the Commercial self-funded business of our Managed Care segment.
 
Net Realized Investment Gains
 
Consolidated net realized investment gains of $6.2 million during the 2015 period are the result of net realized gains from the sale of debt and equity securities classified as available for sale, following our asset/liability management and tax planning strategies.  The net realized gains were partially offset by $1.2 million other-than-temporary impairments.
 
Claims Incurred
 
Consolidated claims incurred decreased by $16.7 million, or 3.7%, to $432.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 when compared to the claims incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2014, mostly due to lower claims in the Managed Care segment.  This decrease is mostly due to a decrease in the claims incurred in the segment’s Commercial business, reflecting the business’s lower member month enrollment in 2015, partially offset by increases in the claims incurred in the Medicare business mostly due to higher pharmacy costs and higher utilization trends.  Property and Casualty Insurance claims also experienced a decrease during this quarter, reflecting a favorable loss experience, mostly in the Medical Malpractice line of business.  The claims of the Life Insurance segment increased by $3.7 million, reflecting the increase in premiums when compared with the same period in 2014.  The consolidated loss ratio decreased by 170 basis points to 81.2%.
 
Operating Expenses
 
Consolidated operating expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased by $2.0 million, or 1.6%, to $127.4 million as compared to the operating expenses during the three months ended March 31, 2014.  For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the consolidated operating expense ratio increased 80 basis points to 22.7%.  The higher operating expenses and operating expenses ratio are mainly related to both an increase in the Health Insurer Provider Fee for 2015 and higher professional services incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2015. These increases were partially offset by the impact of the cost containment initiatives, including lower personnel costs resulting from a year over year reduction in headcount. 
 
Income Tax Expense
 
Consolidated income tax expense during the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased by $3.8 million, to $4.9 million, as compared to the income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014.  The effective tax rate increased from 13.6% in 2014 to 24.9% in 2015.  The higher effective tax rate is the result of the increase in the net taxable income of the Managed Care segment, which operates at a higher effective tax rate.
 
Managed Care Operating Results

   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
(Dollar amounts in millions)
 
2015
   
2014
 
Operating revenues:
       
Medical premiums earned, net:
       
Commercial
 
$
212.5
   
$
229.7
 
Medicare
   
260.0
     
254.3
 
Medical premiums earned, net
   
472.5
     
484.0
 
Administrative service fees
   
30.0
     
30.8
 
Net investment income
   
3.0
     
3.7
 
Total operating revenues
   
505.5
     
518.5
 
Medical operating costs:
               
Medical claims incurred
   
400.1
     
419.3
 
Medical operating expenses
   
94.4
     
95.1
 
Total medical operating costs
   
494.5
     
514.4
 
Medical operating income
 
$
11.0
   
$
4.1
 
Additional data:
               
Member months enrollment:
               
Commercial:
               
Fully-insured
   
1,143,729
     
1,319,412
 
Self-funded
   
574,334
     
627,406
 
Total Commercial member months
   
1,718,063
     
1,946,818
 
Medicare:
               
Medicare Advantage
   
347,082
     
319,289
 
Stand-alone PDP
   
-
     
41,597
 
Total Medicare member months
   
347,082
     
360,886
 
Medicaid member months - Self-funded
   
4,229,082
     
4,190,459
 
Total member months
   
6,294,227
     
6,498,163
 
Medical loss ratio
   
84.7
%
   
86.6
%
Operating expense ratio
   
18.8
%
   
18.5
%

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Medical Operating Revenues
 
Medical premiums earned for the three months ended March 31, 2015 decreased by $11.5 million, or 2.4%, to $472.5 million when compared to the medical premiums earned during the three months ended March 31, 2014.  This decrease is principally the result of the following:
 
Medical premiums generated by the Commercial business decreased by $17.2 million, or 7.5%, to $212.5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015.  This fluctuation is primarily the result of a decrease in fully-insured member month enrollment by 175,683, or 13.3%, mainly in our rated groups and individual accounts products and reflecting pricing sensitivity, cancellation of several commercial accounts and attrition in existing accounts as a result of the island’s challenging economic situation.  The effect of the lower membership is partially offset by a 6.7% year over year increase in average premium rates.
 
Medical premiums generated by the Medicare business increased during the three months ended March 31, 2015 by $5.7 million, or 2.2%, to $260.0 million.  This fluctuation primarily results from higher risk score revenue as compared with 2014 and the higher member month enrollment in Medicare Advantage products, which carry a higher average premium rate.
 
Administrative service fees decreased by $0.8 million, or 2.6%, to $30.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015.  This decrease primarily reflects a decrease in the member month enrollment of the Commercial self-funded business by 53,072, which was partially offset by an increase in the member month enrollment of the Medicaid business by 38,600.
 
Medical Claims Incurred
 
Medical claims incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2015 decreased by $19.2 million, or 4.6%, to $400.1 million when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014, reflecting lower fully-insured enrollment in 2015.  The medical loss ratio (MLR) of the segment decreased 190 basis points during the 2015 period, to 84.7%.  These fluctuations are primarily attributed to the net effect of the following:
 
The medical claims incurred of the Commercial business decreased by $27.9 million, or 13.6%, during the 2015 period mostly due to the lower fully-insured member month enrollment.  The Commercial MLR was 83.2%, which is 580 basis points lower than the MLR for the prior year primarily due to the decrease in enrollment and favorable prior period reserve development in 2015.  Excluding the effect of favorable prior period reserve developments in 2015 and 2014 and other related adjustments, the MLR would have decreased by 290 basis points reflecting pricing adjustments that were proportionate with claim trends and improvement in the U.S. Virgin Islands MLR; offset in part by increased pharmacy costs.
 
The medical claims incurred of the Medicare business increased by $8.7 million, or 4.1%, during the 2015 period and its MLR increased by 160 basis points, to 85.8%, primarily resulting from higher pharmacy costs and higher utilization trends during 2015. Excluding the effect of prior period reserve developments and risk-score adjustments in the 2015 and 2014 periods, the MLR presents an increase of 460 basis points, primarily reflecting higher pharmacy costs and higher utilization trends.
 
Medical Operating Expenses
 
Medical operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 decreased by $0.7 million, or 0.7%, to $94.4 million when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014.  The operating expense ratio increased by 30 basis points, from 18.5% in 2014 to 18.8% in 2015 as a result of the decrease in premiums revenues.  This decrease in medical operating expenses is mainly related to the impact of the cost containment initiatives developed.
 
Life Insurance Operating Results

   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
(Dollar amounts in millions)
 
2015
   
2014
 
Operating revenues:
       
Premiums earned, net:
       
Premiums earned
 
$
38.7
   
$
37.6
 
Assumed earned premiums
   
1.6
     
-
 
Ceded premiums earned
   
(2.5
)
   
(2.6
)
Premiums earned, net
   
37.8
     
35.0
 
Net investment income
   
5.8
     
5.6
 
Total operating revenues
   
43.6
     
40.6
 
Operating costs:
               
Policy benefits and claims incurred
   
21.5
     
17.8
 
Underwriting and other expenses
   
17.3
     
17.6
 
Total operating costs
   
38.8
     
35.4
 
Operating income
 
$
4.8
   
$
5.2
 
Additional data:
               
Loss ratio
   
56.9
%
   
50.9
%
Operating expense ratio
   
45.8
%
   
50.3
%

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Operating Revenues
 
Premiums earned, net for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased by $2.8 million, or 8.0% to $37.8 million when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014 mostly reflecting premium growth in the segment’s individual life line of business and major medical health premiums, and $1.6 million of new premiums assumed on retrocession reinsurance agreements entered during the second quarter of 2014.
 
Policy Benefits and Claims Incurred
 
Policy benefits and claims incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased by $3.7 million, or 20.8%, to $21.5 million when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014, mostly reflecting $1.4 million of claims assumed under retrocession reinsurance agreements which carry a higher loss ratio and a $1.0 million increase in policy actuarial reserves.  The loss ratio for the period increased from 50.9% in 2014 to 56.9% in 2015, or 600 basis points.
 
Underwriting and Other Expenses
 
Underwriting and other expenses for the three month period ended March 31, 2015 decreased $0.3 million, or 1.7%, to $17.3 million when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014.  The decrease is mostly related to a slowdown in the DAC and VOBA amortization trend due to improved portfolio persistency when compared to the same period last year.  As a result of the larger increase in premiums during this period, the segment’s operating expense ratio improved 450 basis points from 50.3% in 2014 to 45.8% in 2015.
 
Property and Casualty Insurance Operating Results
 
   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
(Dollar amounts in millions)
 
2015
   
2014
 
Operating revenues:
       
Premiums earned, net:
       
Premiums written
 
$
27.9
   
$
29.8
 
Premiums ceded
   
(10.8
)
   
(10.7
)
Change in unearned premiums
   
5.7
     
4.4
 
Premiums earned, net
   
22.8
     
23.5
 
Net investment income
   
2.1
     
1.9
 
Total operating revenues
   
24.9
     
25.4
 
Operating costs:
               
Claims incurred
   
11.3
     
12.3
 
Underwriting and other expenses
   
12.1
     
12.4
 
Total operating costs
   
23.4
     
24.7
 
Operating income
 
$
1.5
   
$
0.7
 
Additional data:
               
Loss ratio
   
49.6
%
   
52.3
%
Operating expense ratio
   
53.1
%
   
52.8
%

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
 
Operating Revenues
 
Total premiums written during the three months ended March 31, 2015 decreased by $1.9 million, or 6.4%, to $27.9 million, mostly resulting from lower sales of Commercial products, primarily in the Commercial Auto and Commercial Property insurance products.
 
Premiums ceded to reinsurers during the three months ended March 31, 2015 increased by $0.1 million, or 0.9%, to $10.8 million.  The ratio of premiums ceded to premiums written increased by 280 basis points, from 35.9% in 2014 to 38.7% in 2015, primarily due to reinsurance portfolio transfers in 2014.
 
Claims Incurred
 
Claims incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2015 decreased by $1.0 million, or 8.1%, to $11.3 million.  The loss ratio decreased by 270 basis points, to 49.6% during this period primarily as a result of a favorable loss experience in the Medical Malpractice line of business.
 
Underwriting and Other Expenses
 
Underwriting and other operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 decreased by $0.3 million, or 2.4%, to $12.1 million, primarily due to the impact of cost containment initiatives adopted during 2014.  The operating expense ratio increased by 30 basis points when compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Cash Flows
 
A summary of our major sources and uses of cash for the periods indicated is presented in the following table:

   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
(Dollar amounts in millions)
 
2015
   
2014
 
Sources of cash:
       
Cash provided by operating activities
 
$
37.4
   
$
21.5
 
Net proceeds of sales of investment securities
   
59.0
     
-
 
Proceeds from policyholder deposits
   
3.0
     
1.3
 
Total sources of cash
   
99.4
     
22.8
 
Uses of cash:
               
Net purchases of investment securities
   
-
     
(3.4
)
Net capital expenditures
   
(1.5
)
   
(1.9
)
Repayments of long-term borrowings
   
(0.4
)
   
(0.5
)
Surrenders of policyholder deposits
   
(3.7
)
   
(2.6
)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock
   
(15.0
)
   
(3.0
)
Other
   
(2.5
)
   
(1.0
)
Total uses of cash
   
(23.1
)
   
(12.4
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
 
$
76.3
   
$
10.4
 

Cash flow from operating activities increased by $15.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014, principally due to the effect of a decrease in claims paid by $7.3 million, an increase in premium collections by $6.5 million, and a decrease in cash paid to suppliers and employees by $3.9 million.  The decrease in claims mostly results from the lower Managed Care membership.
 
Net proceeds of sales of investment securities were $59.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015, primarily resulting from the net cash flows received from the sales and purchases of investment securities during the 2015 period following our asset/liability management strategy.  During the three months ended March 31, 2014 we had net purchases of investments of $3.4 million.
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2015 we received $3.0 million in policyholder deposits, this represents an increase of $1.7 million when compared to the prior year and is the result of higher sales of annuity products.
 
Repurchase and retirement of common stock amounted to $15.0 million reflecting the repurchase and retirement of 683,173 shares of common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2015 under the Corporation’s Class B common stock repurchase program.
 
The increase in other uses of cash is attributed to the changes in the amount of outstanding checks over bank balances in the 2015 period.
 
Share Repurchase Program
 
In October 2014 the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $50.0 million repurchase program of our Class B common stock. Repurchases were conducted through open-market purchases of Class B shares only, in accordance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company repurchased and retired 683,173 shares of our Class B Common Stock at an average per share price of $22.15, for an aggregate cost of $15.0 million.
 
Financing and Financing Capacity
 
We have several short-term facilities available to address timing differences between cash receipts and disbursements.  These short-term facilities are mostly in the form of arrangements to sell securities under repurchase agreements.  As of March 31, 2015, we had $135.0 million of available credit under these facilities.  There are no outstanding short-term borrowings under these facilities as of March 31, 2015.
 
As of March 31, 2015, we had the following long-term borrowings:
 
On December 21, 2005, we issued and sold $60.0 million of our 6.6% senior unsecured notes due December 2020 (the 6.6% notes).  On October 1, 2010 we repaid $25.0 million of the principal of these senior unsecured notes.  Amount currently outstanding is $35.0 million.
 
On November 1, 2010, we entered into a $25.0 million arrangement to sell securities under repurchase agreements that matures in November 2015.  This repurchase agreement pays interests on a quarterly basis at 1.96%.  At March 31, 2015 investment securities available for sale with fair value of $27.1 million (face value of $27.1 million) were pledged as collateral under this agreement.
 
The 6.6% notes contain certain non-financial covenants.  At March 31, 2015, we are in compliance with these covenants.
 
In addition, we are a party to a secured term loan with a commercial bank in Puerto Rico.  This secured loan with original principal balance of $41.0 million, bears interest at a rate equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 100 basis points and requires monthly principal repayments of $0.1 million.  As of March 31, 2015, this secured loan had an outstanding balance of $14.1 million and average annual interest rate of 1.25%.
 
This secured loan is guaranteed by a first lien on our land, buildings and substantially all leasehold improvements, as collateral for the term of the agreements under a continuing general security agreement.  This secured loan contains certain non-financial covenants that are customary for this type of facility, including, but not limited to, restrictions on the granting of certain liens, limitations on acquisitions and limitations on changes in control.  As of March 31, 2015 we are in compliance with these covenants.  Failure to meet these covenants may trigger the accelerated payment of the outstanding balance.
 
We anticipate that we will have sufficient liquidity to support our currently expected needs.
 
Further details regarding the senior unsecured notes and the credit agreements are incorporated by reference to “Item 7.—Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
 
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
 
We are exposed to certain market risks that are inherent in our financial instruments, which arise from transactions entered into in the normal course of business.  We have exposure to market risk mostly in our investment activities.  For purposes of this disclosure, “market risk” is defined as the risk of loss resulting from changes in interest rates and equity prices.  No material changes have occurred in our exposure to financial market risks since December 31, 2014.  A discussion of our market risk is incorporated by reference to “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
In connection with the preparation of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, management, under the supervision and with the participation of the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined under Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) of the Corporation and its subsidiaries. Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.  There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and breakdowns as a result of simple errors or mistake. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.  The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.
 
Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that as of March 31, 2015, which is the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to a reasonable level of assurance.
 
There were no significant changes in our disclosure controls and procedures, or in factors that could significantly affect internal controls, subsequent to the date the chief executive officer and chief financial officer completed the evaluation referred to above.
 
Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
 
No changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) occurred during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Part II – Other Information
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
 
For a description of legal proceedings, see note 14 to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
 
For a description of our risk factors see Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
 
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer
 
The following table presents information related to our repurchases of common stock for the period indicated:

(Dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)
 
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased
   
Average Price Paid per Share
   
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced
Programs ¹
   
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Programs
 
                 
January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2015
   
212,073
   
$
23.54
     
212,073
   
$
39.7
 
February 1, 2015 to February 28, 2015
   
215,000
     
23.28
     
215,000
     
34.7
 
March 1, 2015 to March 31, 2015
   
256,100
     
19.50
     
256,100
     
29.7
 

¹
In October 2014 the Company's Board of Directors authorized a $50.0 million Share Repurchase Program of its Class B common stock.
 
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 5.
Other Information
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 6.
Exhibits
 
Exhibits
Description
   
11
Statement re computation of per share earnings; an exhibit describing the computation of the earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 has been omitted as the detail necessary to determine the computation of earnings per share can be clearly determined from the material contained in Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
 
Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).
 
Certification of the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a).
 
Certification of the President and Chief Executive Officer required pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350.
 
Certification of the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer required pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350.
 
All other exhibits for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.
 
*
Filed herein.
 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

       
Triple-S Management Corporation
 
 
       
Registrant
 
           
Date:
May 8, 2015
 
By:
/s/ Ramón M. Ruiz-Comas
 
       
Ramón M. Ruiz-Comas
 
       
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
           
Date:
May 8, 2015
 
By:
 /s/ Amílcar L. Jordán-Pérez
 
       
Amílcar L. Jordán-Pérez
 
       
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
48