Seeking Alpha: Lincare's Short-Term Pain Can Become Long-Term Gain?

Some investors love to parrot the thesis that the aging of America will be a boon to health care companies of all stripes. What these investors aren't always able to explain, though, is who is going to pay for all of that growth. That's a key issue with home oxygen therapy provider Lincare (LNCR). While efforts to diversify the business are pressuring margins and cash flow in the near-term, long-term investors should support these as moves towards better long-term sustainability.

First Quarter Results Not Bad On Balance
Revenue growth of 16% looks pretty flashy, but organic growth was a more modest 6%. Lincare saw a 1% negative impact from Medicare rate changes, with about 11% growth coming from various acquisitions. Interestingly, patient growth was the slowest it has been in some time (up about 2%), while revenue per patient rose by double-digits.

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Lincare's Short-Term Pain Can Become Long-Term Gain