CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec. 30, 2005–Allscripts (Nasdaq:MDRX)
today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a plan to
accelerate vesting of certain options awarded under the Company’s
stock option plans.
Under the plan, options that were originally due to vest between
January 1, 2006 and August 1, 2007, would become fully vested on
December 31, 2005. As a result, the Company will recognize additional
non-cash, non-recurring stock-based compensation expense amounting to
approximately $0.6 million, which will be reflected in the Company’s
fourth quarter 2005 net income. The Company estimates that it will
avoid having to recognize future compensation expense of approximately
$5.6 million under the new accounting rules SFAS 123(R), which becomes
effective January 1, 2006.
“Upon adoption, SFAS 123(R) requires that compensation expense
associated with stock options be recognized in the income statement
rather than as a footnote disclosure,” stated Bill Davis, Chief
Financial Officer of Allscripts. “As discussed during our third
quarter 2005 conference call, we have been considering accelerating
the vesting of certain options and now we are moving forward with that
plan. This practice of accelerating stock options has been instituted
by many companies in order to reduce future stock-based compensation
expense and we took this action because we believe it is in the best
interest of the company and our shareholders.”
As a result of the Board’s action, unvested stock options to
purchase approximately 1.3 million shares of the Company’s common
stock will become exercisable effective on December 31, 2005. The
exercise prices of the affected stock options range from $2.77 to
$10.67 per share. The acceleration of vesting will not change the
exercise prices or terms of the options, nor will there be any tax
implications for federal income tax purposes.
About Allscripts
Allscripts is the leading provider of clinical software,
connectivity and information solutions that physicians use to improve
healthcare. The Company provides unique solutions that inform, connect
and transform healthcare. The Clinical Solutions Group’s award-winning
clinical software applications include Electronic Health Record,
e-prescribing and document imaging solutions. Allscripts’ Physicians
Interactive Group provides clinical product education and connectivity
solutions for physicians and patients. The Company’s Medication
Services Group provides medication fulfillment services. To learn
more, visit Allscripts on the Web at www.allscripts.com.
This announcement may contain forward-looking statements about
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions that involve risks and uncertainties.
These statements are developed by combining currently available
information with Allscripts beliefs and assumptions. Forward-looking
statements do not guarantee future performance. Because Allscripts
cannot predict all of the risks and uncertainties that may affect it,
or control the ones it does predict, Allscripts’ actual results may be
materially different from the results expressed in its forward-looking
statements. For a more complete discussion of the risks, uncertainties
and assumptions that may affect Allscripts, see the Company’s 2004
Annual Report on Form 10-K, available through the Web site maintained
by the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.
CONTACT: Allscripts
Bill Davis, 312-506-1211
bill.davis@allscripts.com
SOURCE: Allscripts