HealthSouth Reports Strong Results for Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2009

Press Release
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HealthSouth Corporation , the nation’s largest provider of inpatient rehabilitative healthcare services, today reported its results of operations for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2009.

“The fourth quarter was a strong conclusion to an excellent year for HealthSouth,” said Jay Grinney, President and Chief Executive Officer of HealthSouth. “The Company continued to execute its business plan and performed well across all key metrics: we discharged 4.6% more patients; provided this care on a cost-effective basis; and strengthened our balance sheet repaying approximately $34 million of debt. For the year, we discharged 5.4% more patients and reduced debt by approximately $151 million through the continued generation of strong cash flows. We believe these solid results provide the necessary momentum for another successful year in 2010.”

  Fourth Quarter Results
  --  Consolidated net operating revenues were $486.2 million for the fourth
      quarter of 2009 compared to $460.8 million for the fourth quarter of
      2008, or an increase of 5.5%. This increase was driven primarily by a
      4.6% quarter-over-quarter increase in patient discharges. Discharges
      increased by 4.2% quarter over quarter on a same store basis.
  --  Reported net income per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2009
      was $0.35 per share compared to $1.81 per diluted share for the fourth
      quarter of 2008. The Company's results for the fourth quarter of 2008
      included a $121.3 million, or $1.20 per diluted share, gain associated
      with the UBS Settlement and an income tax benefit of $48.4 million, or
      $0.48 per diluted share, primarily related to an additional income tax
      refund for tax years 1995 through 1999.
  --  Adjusted net income from continuing operations (see attached
      supplemental information) for the fourth quarter of 2009, which
      included a $15.6 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, loss on early
      extinguishment of debt related to the Company's previously reported
      debt refinancing transaction in the quarter, was $0.22 per diluted
      share compared to $0.24 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of
      2008. Excluding the loss on early extinguishment of debt, the Company
      experienced quarter-over-quarter growth due primarily to increased
      revenues, lower interest expense, and effective expense management.
  --  Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA (see attached supplemental information)
      for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $94.7 million compared to $87.5
      million in the fourth quarter of 2008, or an increase of 8.2%. This
      increase resulted from increased revenues, as discussed above, and
      effective expense management.

  Full Year Results
  --  Consolidated net operating revenues were $1,911.1 million for the year
      ended December 31, 2009 compared to $1,829.5 million for the year
      ended December 31, 2008, or an increase of 4.5%. This increase was
      primarily attributable to a 5.4% year-over-year increase in patient
      discharges. Discharges increased by 4.8% year over year on a same
      store basis.
  --  Reported net income per diluted share for the year ended December 31,
      2009 was $0.77 per share compared to $2.62 per diluted share for the
      year ended December 31, 2008. The Company's results for the year ended
      December 31, 2008 included $188.5 million, or $1.96 per diluted share,
      of gains associated with government, class action, and related
      settlements, including the $121.3 million gain associated with the UBS
      Settlement mentioned above.
  --  Adjusted income from continuing operations was $1.45 per diluted share
      for the year ended December 31, 2009 compared to $0.76 per diluted
      share for the year ended December 31, 2008. The year-over-year growth
      was due primarily to increased revenues, lower interest expense, and
      effective expense management.
  --  Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2009 was
      $383.0 million compared to $341.2 million for the year ended December
      31, 2008, or an increase of 12.3%. This increase was driven by
      increased revenues, as discussed above, and effective expense
      management.

As of December 31, 2009, total debt outstanding approximated $1.7 billion, with no amounts drawn on the Company’s $400 million revolving credit facility. During 2009, the Company reduced its total debt outstanding by approximately $151 million and increased its cash and cash equivalents by approximately $49 million. Cash flows provided by operating activities were $406.1 million for 2009 compared to $227.2 million for 2008. Cash flows provided by operating activities in 2009 included $73.8 million in net cash proceeds related to the Company’s settlement with UBS and the receipt of $63.7 million in income tax refunds associated with amended tax returns from previous periods.

“Our previously reported refinancing transaction, in combination with the previously announced amendment to our credit agreement and our strong cash flow generation in 2009, resulted in a stronger balance sheet that gives us greater flexibility going forward,” said Ed Fay, Senior Vice President – Finance and Treasurer of HealthSouth. “HealthSouth made significant progress on its deleveraging goal in 2009 through both debt reduction and Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA growth. Looking ahead, our strong cash flows will continue to support further debt reduction and new expansion opportunities for the Company.”

Due to the Company’s debt reduction efforts and its higher Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA (see attached supplemental information), the Company’s leverage ratio was 4.3x as of December 31, 2009 compared to 5.3x as of December 31, 2008. The Company remains confident it can achieve its leverage ratio goal of 3.5x to 4.0x by the end of 2011.

2010 Guidance

Adjusted income from continuing operations for 2010 is expected to be in the range of $1.60 to $1.70 per diluted share, compared to $1.45 per share in 2009. Adjusted income from continuing operations excludes any gain or loss associated with the fair value adjustments to the Company’s interest rate swaps that are not designated as hedges, certain professional fees (related primarily to the Company’s derivative litigation), and other non-recurring items.

Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA for 2010 is expected to be in the range of $397 million to $407 million, compared to $383 million for 2009. The Company’s credit agreement allows unusual noncash items or nonrecurring charges to be added to net income to arrive at Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA.

See the attached supplemental information, as well as the Current Report on Form 8-K furnished with this press release on February 22, 2010, for additional information related to our use and the definitions of adjusted income from continuing operations and Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA.

Earnings Conference Call and Webcast

The Company will host an investor conference call at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 to discuss its results for the fourth quarter of 2009. For reference during the call, the Company will post certain supplemental slides at http://investor.healthsouth.com/.

The conference call may be accessed by dialing 866-406-5369 and giving the pass code 48454905. International callers should dial 973-582-2847 and give the same pass code. Please call approximately ten minutes before the start of the call to ensure you are connected. The conference call will also be webcast live and will be available at http://investor.healthsouth.com/ by clicking on an available link.

A replay of the conference call will be available, beginning approximately two hours after the completion of the conference call, from February 23 until March 9, 2010. To access the replay, please dial 8006421687. International callers should dial 7066459291. The webcast will also be archived for replay purposes after the live broadcast at http://investor.healthsouth.com/.

About HealthSouth

HealthSouth is the nation’s largest provider of inpatient rehabilitative healthcare services. Operating in 26 states across the country and in Puerto Rico, HealthSouth serves patients through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, long-term acute care hospitals, outpatient rehabilitation satellites, and home health agencies. HealthSouth strives to be the nation’s preeminent provider of inpatient rehabilitative healthcare services and can be found on the Web at www.healthsouth.com.

Other Information

The Company’s leverage ratio that is referenced in this release and elsewhere from time to time is defined in the Company’s credit agreement as the ratio of consolidated total debt to Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA for the trailing four quarters. Reconciliations of net income to Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA can be found in the following schedules.

On January 1, 2009, we reclassified our noncontrolling interests (formerly known as “minority interests”) as a component of equity and now report net income and comprehensive income attributable to our noncontrolling interests separately from net income and comprehensive income attributable to HealthSouth. Due to the adoption of this accounting guidance, all prior period amounts presented in the attached financial information are labeled “as adjusted.”

The information in this press release is summarized and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (the “2009 Form 10-K”), when filed, as well as the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 22, 2010. In addition, the Company will post supplemental slides today on its website at http://investor.healthsouth.com/ for reference during its February 23, 2010 earnings call.

The Company expects to file its 2009 Form 10-K this week. When filed, the report can be found on the Company’s website at http://investor.healthsouth.com/ and the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

                     HealthSouth Corporation and Subsidiaries
                      Consolidated Statements of Operations
                                    (Unaudited)

                          Three Months Ended               Year Ended
                             December 31,                  December 31,
                         --------------------          -------------------
                         2009            2008          2009          2008
                         ----            ----          ----          ----
                                     (As Adjusted)             (As Adjusted)
                               (In Millions, Except Per Share Data)
  Net operating
   revenues             $486.2          $460.8       $1,911.1      $1,829.5
                        ------          ------       --------      --------
  Operating expenses:
      Salaries and
       benefits          243.7           232.1          948.8         928.2
      Other operating
       expenses           70.8            65.6          271.4         264.9
      General and
       administrative
       expenses           28.1            26.7          104.5         105.5
      Supplies            28.8            27.6          112.4         108.2
      Depreciation
       and amortization   18.1            17.7           70.9          82.4
      Impairment of
       long-lived assets     -               -              -           0.6
      Gain on UBS
       Settlement            -          (121.3)             -        (121.3)
      Occupancy costs     11.8            12.0           47.6          48.8
      Provision for
       doubtful accounts   7.8             6.9           33.1          27.0
      Loss on disposal
       of assets           0.5             1.4            3.5           2.0
      Government,
       class action,
       and related
       settlements
       expense            (4.6)          (39.3)          36.7         (67.2)
      Professional
       fees-accounting,
       tax, and legal      3.8            31.5            8.8          44.4
                           ---            ----            ---          ----
         Total operating
          expenses       408.8           260.9        1,637.7       1,423.5
  Loss on early
   extinguishment
   of debt                15.6             0.1           12.5           5.9
  Interest expense and
   amortization of debt
   discounts and fees     30.8            28.4          125.8         159.5
  Other (income) expense  (2.0)            2.0           (3.4)            -
  Loss on interest
   rate swaps              2.9            39.6           19.6          55.7
  Equity in net
   income of
   nonconsolidated
   affiliates             (1.8)           (2.8)          (4.6)        (10.6)
                          ----            ----           ----         -----
      Income from
       continuing
       operations
       before income
       tax benefit        31.9           132.6          123.5         195.5
  Provision for
   income tax benefit     (2.4)          (48.4)          (3.2)        (70.1)
                          ----           -----           ----         -----
      Income from
       continuing
       operations         34.3           181.0          126.7         265.6
  Income from
   discontinued
   operations,
   net of tax             12.6             9.2            2.1          16.2
                          ----             ---            ---          ----
      Net income          46.9           190.2          128.8         281.8
  Less: Net income
   attributable
   to noncontrolling
   interests              (8.3)           (8.3)         (34.0)        (29.4)
                          ----            ----          -----         -----
      Net income
       attributable
       to HealthSouth     38.6           181.9           94.8         252.4
  Less: Convertible
   perpetual preferred
   stock dividends        (6.5)           (6.5)         (26.0)        (26.0)
                          ----            ----          -----         -----
      Net income
       attributable
       to HealthSouth
       common 
       shareholders      $32.1          $175.4          $68.8        $226.4
                         =====          ======          =====        ======

  Weighted average
   common shares
   outstanding:
      Basic               92.6            87.4           88.8          83.0
                          ====            ====           ====          ====
      Diluted            107.8           100.7          103.3          96.4
                         =====           =====          =====          ====

  Earnings per
   common share:
    Basic: 
       Income from
        continuing
        operations
        attributable
        to HealthSouth
        common
        shareholders     $0.22           $1.91          $0.76         $2.53
       Income from
        discontinued
        operations,
        net of tax,
        attributable
        to HealthSouth
        common
        shareholders      0.13            0.10           0.01          0.20
                          ----            ----           ----          ----
       Net income
        per share
        attributable
        to HealthSouth
        common
        shareholders     $0.35           $2.01          $0.77         $2.73
                         =====           =====          =====         =====
    Diluted:
       Income from
        continuing
        operations
        attributable
        to HealthSouth
        common
        shareholders     $0.22           $1.72          $0.76         $2.45
       Income from
        discontinued
        operations,
        net of tax,
        attributable
        to HealthSouth
        common
        shareholders      0.13            0.09           0.01          0.17
                          ----            ----           ----          ----
       Net income
        per share
        attributable
        to HealthSouth
        common
        shareholders     $0.35           $1.81          $0.77         $2.62
                         =====           =====          =====         =====

  Amounts attributable
   to HealthSouth:
      Income from
       continuing
       operations        $26.1          $172.9          $93.3        $235.8
      Income from
       discontinued
       operations,
       net of tax         12.5             9.0            1.5          16.6
                          ----             ---            ---          ----
      Net income
       attributable
       to HealthSouth    $38.6          $181.9          $94.8        $252.4
                         =====          ======          =====        ======



                     HealthSouth Corporation and Subsidiaries
                          Consolidated Balance Sheets
                                   (Unaudited)

                                                      As of December 31,
                                                      ------------------
                                                    2009             2008
                                                    ----             ----
                                                               (As Adjusted)
                                            (In Millions, Except Share Data)
                               Assets
  Current assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                      $80.9           $32.1
      Restricted cash                                 67.8           154.0
      Restricted marketable securities                 2.7            20.3
      Accounts receivable, net of
       allowance for doubtful accounts of
       $33.1 in 2009; $30.9 in 2008                  219.7           234.9
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets       54.9            58.6
      Insurance recoveries receivable                    -           182.8
                                                       ---           -----
         Total current assets                        426.0           682.7
  Property and equipment, net                        664.8           662.1
  Goodwill                                           416.4           414.7
  Intangible assets, net                              37.4            42.4
  Investments in and advances to
   nonconsolidated affiliates                         29.3            36.7
  Income tax refund receivable                        10.0            55.9
  Other long-term assets                              97.6           103.7
                                                      ----           -----
         Total assets                             $1,681.5        $1,998.2
                                                  ========        ========

               Liabilities and Shareholders' Deficit
  Current liabilities
      Current portion of long-term debt              $21.5           $23.6
      Accounts payable                                50.2            45.5
      Accrued payroll                                 77.9            89.8
      Refunds due patients and other
       third-party payors                             53.0            48.8
      Other current liabilities                      182.0           270.0
      Government, class action, and
       related settlements                             6.6           268.5
                                                       ---           -----
         Total current liabilities                   391.2           746.2
  Long-term debt, net of current portion           1,641.0         1,789.6
  Self-insured risks                                 100.0           108.6
  Other long-term liabilities                         59.5            53.6
                                                      ----            ----
                                                   2,191.7         2,698.0
                                                   -------         -------
  Commitments and contingencies
  Convertible perpetual preferred stock              387.4           387.4
                                                     -----           -----
  Shareholders' deficit:
      HealthSouth shareholders' deficit             (974.0)       (1,169.4)
      Noncontrolling interests                        76.4            82.2
                                                      ----            ----
         Total shareholders' deficit                (897.6)       (1,087.2)
                                                    ------        --------
            Total liabilities and shareholders'
             deficit                              $1,681.5        $1,998.2
                                                  ========        ========



                             HealthSouth Corporation
                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                   (Unaudited)

                                                      For the Year Ended
                                                          December 31,
                                                     ---------------------
                                                     2009             2008
                                                     ----             ----
                                                               (As Adjusted)
                                                         (In Millions)
  Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income                                        $128.8           $281.8
                                                    ------           ------
  Income from discontinued operations                 (2.1)           (16.2)
                                                      ----            -----
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
   provided by operating activities-
      Provision for doubtful accounts                 33.1             27.0
      Provision for government, class action, and
       related settlements                            36.7            (90.6)
      UBS Settlement proceeds, gross                 100.0            (97.9)
      Depreciation and amortization                   70.9             82.4
      Amortization of debt issue costs, debt
       discounts, and fees                             6.6              6.5
      Impairment of long-lived assets                    -              0.6
      Realized (gain) loss on sale of investments     (0.8)             1.4
      Loss on disposal of assets                       3.5              2.0
      Loss on early extinguishment of debt            12.5              5.9
      Loss on interest rate swaps                     19.6             55.7
      Equity in net income of nonconsolidated
       affiliates                                     (4.6)           (10.6)
      Distributions from nonconsolidated affiliates    8.6             10.9
      Stock-based compensation                        13.4             11.7
      Deferred tax provision                           4.1              3.7
      Other                                            1.3              2.0
      (Increase) decrease in assets-
         Accounts receivable                         (17.8)           (45.0)
         Prepaid expenses and other assets             3.7              7.5
         Income tax refund receivable                 45.9             (3.4)
      Increase (decrease) in liabilities-
         Accounts payable                              4.8             (4.2)
         Accrued payroll                             (12.4)             9.0
         Accrued fees and expenses for derivative
          plaintiffs' attorneys in UBS Settlement    (26.2)               -
         Other liabilities                            (1.4)             2.9
         Refunds due patients and other third-party
          payors                                       4.2             (2.5)
         Self-insured risks                           (1.6)           (17.4)
         Government, class action, and related
          settlements                                (11.2)            (7.4)
      Net cash (used in) provided by operating
       activities of discontinued operations         (13.5)            11.4
                                                     -----             ----
         Total adjustments                           279.4            (38.4)
                                                     -----            -----
      Net cash provided by operating activities      406.1            227.2
                                                     -----            -----



                      HealthSouth Corporation and Subsidiaries
                  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)
                                     (Unaudited)

                                                 For The Year Ended
                                                     December 31,
                                                ---------------------
                                                2009             2008
                                                ----             ----
                                                            (As Adjusted)
                                                    (In Millions)
  Cash flows from investing activities:
      Capital expenditures                      (72.2)           (55.7)
      Acquisition of business, net of assets
       acquired                                     -            (14.6)
      Acquisition of intangible assets           (0.4)           (18.2)
      Proceeds from disposal of assets            3.9             53.9
      Proceeds from sale of restricted
       marketable securities                      5.0              8.1
      Proceeds from sale of investments           0.6              4.3
      Purchase of restricted marketable
       securities                                (3.8)            (4.8)
      Net change in restricted cash             (11.7)             7.5
      Net settlements on interest rate swaps    (42.2)           (20.7)
      Net investment in interest rate swap       (6.4)               -
      Other                                      (5.3)             0.6
      Net cash used in investing activities of
       discontinued operations                   (0.5)            (0.4)
                                                 ----             ----
      Net cash used in investing activities    (133.0)           (40.0)
                                               ------            -----

  Cash flows from financing activities:
      Checks in excess of bank balance              -            (11.4)
      Principal borrowings on notes              15.5                -
      Proceeds from bond issuance               290.0                -
      Principal payments on debt, including
       pre-payments                            (409.2)          (204.8)
      Borrowings on revolving credit facility    10.0            128.0
      Payments on revolving credit facility     (50.0)          (163.0)
      Principal payments under capital lease
       obligations                              (13.4)           (12.4)
      Issuance of common stock                      -            150.2
      Dividends paid on convertible perpetual
       preferred stock                          (26.0)           (26.0)
      Debt amendment and issuance costs         (10.6)               -
      Distributions paid to noncontrolling
       interests of consolidated affiliates    (32.7)           (33.4)
      Other                                       0.8              0.6
      Net cash provided by (used in) financing
       activities of discontinued operations      1.3             (3.8)
                                                  ---             ----
      Net cash used in financing activities    (224.3)          (176.0)
                                               ------           ------
      Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
       and cash equivalents                         -              0.8
                                                  ---              ---
      Increase in cash and cash equivalents      48.8             12.0
      Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
       of year                                   32.1             19.8
      Cash and cash equivalents of divisions
       and facilities held for sale at
       beginning of year                          0.1              0.4
      Less: Cash and cash equivalents of
       divisions and facilities held
       for sale at end of year                   (0.1)            (0.1)
                                                 ----             ----
      Cash and cash equivalents at end of year  $80.9            $32.1
                                                =====            =====



                     HealthSouth Corporation and Subsidiaries
                       Supplemental Non-GAAP Disclosures
  Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations
                     and Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA (1) (4)

                                  Three Months Ended December 31,
                       ----------------------------------------------------
                                                            
                       2009        Per Share (2)      2008      Per Share(2)
                       ----        ------------       ----      -----------
                                                         (As Adjusted)
                              (In Millions, Except per Share Data)

  Net income            $46.9            $0.51        $190.2         $2.18
  Income from
   discontinued
   operations,
   net of tax,
   attributable
   to HealthSouth       (12.5)           (0.14)         (9.0)        (0.10)
  Net income
   attributable
   to noncontrolling
   interests             (8.3)           (0.09)         (8.3)        (0.09)
                         ----            -----          ----         -----
  Income from
   continuing
   operations
   attributable
   to HealthSouth        26.1             0.28         172.9          1.98

  Gain on UBS
   Settlement               -                -        (121.3)        (1.39)
  Government,
   class action, and
   related settlements   (4.6)           (0.05)        (39.3)        (0.45)
  Professional
   fees - accounting,
   tax, and legal         3.8             0.04          31.5          0.36
  Loss on interest
   rate swaps             2.9             0.03          39.6          0.45
  Interest associated
   with UBS settlement(6)   -                -         (9.4)         (0.11)
  Adjustment for prior
   period amounts in
   tax provision         (4.1)           (0.04)        (49.7)        (0.57)
                         ----             -----        -----         -----
  Adjusted income
   from continuing
   operations (1)(4)     24.1             0.26          24.3          0.28
  Adjustment for
   dilution (2)                          (0.04)                      (0.04)
                                         -----                       -----
  Adjusted income
   from continuing
   operations per
   diluted share (2)(4)                  $0.22                       $0.24
                                         =====                       =====

  Current period
   amounts in
   tax provision          1.7                            1.3
  Interest expense
   and amortization
   of debt discounts
   and fees, excluding
   interest associated
   with UBS settlement   30.8                           37.8
  Depreciation
   and amortization      18.1                           17.7
                         ----                           ----
                         74.7                           81.1
  Other adjustments
   per the Company's
   Credit Agreement:
    Impairment charges,
     including 
     investments          0.2                            1.8
    Net noncash loss
     on disposal
     of assets            0.5                            1.4
    Loss on early
     extinguishment
     of debt             15.6                            0.1
    Stock-based
     compensation
     expense              3.4                            3.2
    Other                 0.3                           (0.1)
                          ---                           ----
  Adjusted Consolidated
   EBITDA (1)(4)(5)     $94.7                          $87.5
                        =====                          =====

  Weighted average
   common shares
   outstanding:
  Basic                                   92.6                        87.4
                                          ====                        ====
  Diluted                                107.8                       100.7
                                         =====                       =====



                      HealthSouth Corporation and Subsidiaries
                         Supplemental Non-GAAP Disclosures
  Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted Income from Continuing Operations
                      and Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA (1) (4)

                                      Year Ended December 31,
                       ----------------------------------------------------
                       2009        Per Share (2)      2008      Per Share(2)
                       ----        ------------       ----      -----------
                                                         (As Adjusted)
                              (In Millions, Except per Share Data)

  Net income           $128.8            $1.45        $281.8         $3.40
  Income from
   discontinued
   operations, net
   of tax, attributable
   to HealthSouth        (1.5)           (0.02)        (16.6)        (0.20)
  Net income
   attributable to
   noncontrolling
   interests            (34.0)           (0.38)        (29.4)        (0.35)
                        -----            -----         -----         -----
  Income from
   continuing
   operations
   attributable
   to HealthSouth        93.3             1.05         235.8          2.84

  Gain on UBS Settlement    -                -        (121.3)        (1.46)
  Government, class
   action, and related
   settlements           36.7             0.41         (67.2)        (0.81)
  Professional fees
   - accounting,
   tax, and legal         8.8             0.10          44.4          0.53
  Loss on interest
   rate swaps            19.6             0.22          55.7          0.67
  Accelerated
   depreciation of
   corporate campus(3)      -                -          10.0          0.12
  Interest associated
   with UBS settlement(6)   -                -          (9.4)        (0.11)
  Adjustment for
   prior period amounts
   in tax provision      (8.8)           (0.10)        (75.1)        (0.90)
                         ----            -----         -----         -----
  Adjusted income
   from continuing
   operations (1)(4)    149.6             1.68          72.9          0.88
  Adjustment for
   dilution (2)                          (0.23)                      (0.12)
                                         -----                       -----
  Adjusted income
   from continuing
   operations per
   diluted share(2)(4)                   $1.45                       $0.76
                                         =====                       =====

  Estimated income
   tax expense            5.6                            5.0
  Interest expense
   and amortization
   of debt discounts and
   fees, excluding
   interest associated
   with UBS settlement  125.8                          168.9
  Depreciation and
   amortization,
   excluding accelerated
   depreciation of
   corporate campus(3)   70.9                           72.4
                         ----                           ----
                        351.9                          319.2
  Other adjustments
   per the Company's
   Credit Agreement:
    Impairment charges,
     including 
     investments          1.4                            2.4
    Net noncash loss
     on disposal of
     assets               3.5                            2.0
    Loss on early
     extinguishment
     of debt             12.5                            5.9
    Stock-based
     compensation
     expense             13.4                           11.7
    Other                 0.3                              -
                          ---                            ---
  Adjusted Consolidated
   EBITDA (1)(4)(5)    $383.0                         $341.2
                       ======                         ======

  Weighted average
   common shares
   outstanding:
  Basic                                   88.8                        83.0
                                          ====                        ====
  Diluted                                103.3                        96.4
                                         =====                        ====

  (1) Adjusted income from continuing operations and Adjusted Consolidated 
  EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company's leverage ratio 
  (consolidated total debt to Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA for the trailing 
  four quarters) is likewise a non-GAAP financial measure. Management and 
  some members of the investment community utilize adjusted income from 
  continuing operations as a financial measure and Adjusted Consolidated 
  EBITDA and the leverage ratio as liquidity measures on an ongoing basis. 
  These measures are not recognized in accordance with GAAP and should not 
  be viewed as an alternative to GAAP measures of performance or liquidity. 
  In evaluating these adjusted measures, the reader should be aware that in 
  the future HealthSouth may incur expenses similar to the adjustments set 
  forth above.

  (2) Per share amounts for each period presented are based on basic 
  weighted average common shares outstanding for all amounts except adjusted
  income from continuing operations per diluted share, which is based on 
  diluted weighted average common shares outstanding. The diluted share 
  counts contain approximately 13.1 million shares related to the potential 
  dilution of the Company's convertible perpetual preferred stock. The 
  increase in the Company's basic and diluted weighted average common shares
  outstanding in 2009 compared to 2008 was primarily the result of its 
  equity offering of 8.8 million shares that was completed on June 27, 2008 
  and the issuance of 5.0 million shares of common stock on September 30, 
  2009 in full satisfaction of its obligation to do so under the Company's 
  securities litigation settlement.

  (3) In the first quarter of 2008, the Company accelerated the depreciation
  of its corporate campus so that the net book value of the campus equaled 
  the estimated net proceeds the Company expected to receive on the sale 
  transaction's closing date. The year-over-year impact of this acceleration
  of depreciation approximated $10 million. No similar charges happened in 
  2009.

  (4) Adjusted income from continuing operations per diluted share and 
  Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA are two components of the Company's guidance.

  (5) The Company's credit agreement allows unusual non-cash or 
  non-recurring items to be added to arrive at Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA.
  In addition, certain other deductions may be required. Such amounts have 
  not been included in the above calculation as it would not be indicative 
  of the Company's Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA for future periods.

  (6) Interest expense and amortization of debt discounts and fees in the 
  Company's consolidated statements of operations for the three months and 
  year ended December 31, 2008 included the reversal of $9.4 million of 
  accrued interest related to the loan guarantee for which the Company 
  received a release as part of the UBS Settlement.

Statements contained in this press release which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. In addition, HealthSouth, through its senior management, may from time to time make forward-looking public statements concerning the matters described herein. All such estimates, projections, and forward-looking information speak only as of the date hereof, and HealthSouth undertakes no duty to publicly update or revise such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Such forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. HealthSouth’s actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. While it is impossible to identify all such factors, factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated by HealthSouth include, but are not limited to, any adverse outcome of various lawsuits, claims, and legal or regulatory proceedings that may be brought against the Company; significant changes in HealthSouth’s management team; HealthSouth’s ability to continue to operate in the ordinary course and manage its relationships with its creditors, including its lenders, bondholders, vendors and suppliers, employees, and customers; changes, delays in (including in connection with resolution of Medicare payment reviews or appeals), or suspension of reimbursement for HealthSouth’s services by governmental or private payors; changes in the regulation of the healthcare industry at either or both of the federal and state levels; competitive pressures in the healthcare industry and HealthSouth’s response thereto; HealthSouth’s ability to obtain and retain favorable arrangements with third-party payors; HealthSouth’s ability to attract and retain nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals in a highly competitive environment with often severe staffing shortages and the impact on HealthSouth’s labor expenses from potential union activity and staffing shortages; general conditions in the economy and capital markets; and other factors which may be identified from time to time in HealthSouth’s SEC filings and other public announcements, including HealthSouth’s Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 2009, which is expected to be filed later this week.

  Media Contact
  -------------
  Andy Brimmer, 205-410-2777
  Helen Todd, 205-969-5608
  helen.todd@healthsouth.com

  Investor Relations Contact
  --------------------------
  Mary Ann Arico, 205-969-6175
  maryann.arico@healthsouth.com

First Call Analyst: McVay, Tadd
FCMN Contact:

SOURCE: HealthSouth Corporation

CONTACT: Media, Andy Brimmer, +1-205-410-2777, or Helen Todd,
+1-205-969-5608, helen.todd@healthsouth.com, or Investor Relations, Mary Ann
Arico, +1-205-969-6175, maryann.arico@healthsouth.com