Change Healthcare (CHNG) DEF 14ADefinitive proxy

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(A) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 

CHANGE HEALTHCARE INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Message from Our

Howard Lance	Neil de Crescenzo
Chairman of the Board	President & Chief Executive Officer

Fiscal year 2021 was a pivotal year for Change Healthcare as we work to advance a simpler, more intelligent, and adaptive healthcare system.

Dear Fellow Stockholders, 

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Change Healthcare team members, we thank you for your continued support. We’re immensely proud of our team’s hard work to address industry challenges and accelerate growth as we work to improve all aspects of the healthcare journey and drive the transformation of the US healthcare system.

The Board is intently focused on overseeing Change Healthcare’s commitment to maximizing long-term value for our stockholders. By concentrating on our long-term objectives and leveraging our well-established and scaled platform, a world-class solutions development team, a strong new business pipeline, and deep customer and partner relationships, we are poised to accelerate growth and create lasting value for our stockholders, customers, and employees alike. 

Key Fiscal Year 2021 Accomplishments 

Fiscal year 2021 was a pivotal year for Change Healthcare as we made financial gains and improvements across many of our business segments. We’re proud to highlight our achievements that underpinned our strong results in the following key areas: 

Advanced and Scaled Technology

Strategic Acquisitions and Partnerships 

Created Solutions that Address Social Determinants of Health to Drive Greater Equity in our Healthcare System 

Responded to the Global Pandemic by Supporting Customers, Collaborating with Partners, and Creating New Solutions 

An Update on Diversity & Inclusion 

In an effort to expand and enhance our culture of intentional inclusion, over the course of the past year, we focused on educating leaders about unconscious bias and continued to create forums to engage in discussions about topics of importance to our employees through our Conversations that Matter series.  

Our Board is active in overseeing our diversity and inclusion efforts. In furtherance of our commitment to Board diversity, we have included a Board diversity matrix in the accompanying proxy statement, which reflects that 30% of our Board is diverse in terms of gender identity or demographic background. To ensure we remain committed to our diversity and inclusion efforts, our Board will continue to monitor our progress over time.

Building a Better Healthcare Experience Together 

We remain focused on delivering the next phase of growth by working in partnership with our customers and other stakeholders throughout the industry as we continue to integrate our diverse capabilities to advance connectivity, enhance efficiency, and drive better experiences and outcomes throughout the healthcare industry.

Thank you for your support as a Change Healthcare stockholder.

Howard Lance   Chairman of the Board	Neil de Crescenzo   President & Chief Executive Officer

To the stockholders of Change Healthcare Inc.:

You are receiving this proxy statement because you were a stockholder at the close of business on the record date of February 18, 2022 and are entitled to vote at our Annual Meeting of Stockholders. A list of these stockholders will be open for examination by any stockholder electronically during the meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CHNG2022 when you enter your 16-digit control number. Our Board of Directors is soliciting the accompanying proxy for use at the Annual Meeting. At the meeting, stockholders will act on the following items of business:

The 2022 Annual Meeting will be a virtual meeting of stockholders. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting, vote your shares electronically and submit your questions during the meeting via live audio webcast by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/CHNG2022. To participate in the meeting, you must have your 16-digit control number that is shown on your proxy card or the instructions that accompanied your proxy materials. You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting in person.

Your vote is very important to us. Please submit your proxy or voting instructions as soon as possible, whether or not you plan to attend the meeting. You can be sure your shares are represented at the meeting if you are a stockholder of record by promptly voting electronically over the Internet or by telephone or by returning your completed proxy card in the pre-addressed, postage-paid return envelope or, if your shares are held in street name, by returning your completed voting instruction card to your broker. If, for any reason, you desire to revoke or change your proxy, you may do so at any time before it is exercised. The proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Change Healthcare Inc.

The Annual Meeting does not relate to the pending transaction with UnitedHealth Group Incorporated. Until the transaction is completed, we will continue to function as an independent public company and therefore we are filing this Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement in the ordinary course. Please be advised, however, that we will not hold the Annual Meeting described in this Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement if the transaction is completed prior to holding the Annual Meeting.

Proxy materials were first sent or made available to stockholders beginning on or about February 28, 2022. The mailing address of our principal executive offices is Change Healthcare, 424 Church Street, Suite 1400, Nashville, TN 37219.

By Internet Using Your Computer Go to www.proxyvote.com and follow the instructions	By telephone Call 1-800-690-6903	By mail Sign, date and return your proxy card in the postage-paid envelope	Attend the Annual Meeting Vote electronically during the meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting. com/CHNG2022

	By order of the Board of Directors,
	Zack Beasley
	Corporate Secretary
	February 28, 2022

Table of Contents

Proxy Summary  

This summary highlights certain information contained in this proxy statement and does not contain all of the information that you should consider in voting your shares. We encourage you to read the entire proxy statement and our annual report before voting.

Meeting Information

Meeting Date		Time		Location		Record Date
Tuesday, March 29, 2022		11:00 am EDT		www.virtualshareholdermeeting. com/CHNG2022		February 18, 2022

Stockholder Voting Matters

Our Company

We are a leading independent healthcare technology company that provides data and analytics-driven solutions to improve clinical, financial and patient engagement outcomes in the U.S. healthcare system. We are a key catalyst of a value-based healthcare system, accelerating the journey toward improved lives and healthier communities.

Director Nominees

Our Board recommends that you vote FOR each of the director nominees named below for terms that expire at the Fiscal 2023 Annual Meeting. Additional information about each nominee’s background and experience can be found beginning on page 14.

Neil E. de Crescenzo, 60		Howard L. Lance, 66		Nella Domenici, 61		Nicholas L. Kuhar, 36
President & Chief Executive Officer Change Healthcare Inc. Director Since: 2017 Other Public Boards: 0		Independent Former President & Chief Executive Officer, Maxar Technologies Inc. Director Since: 2017 Other Public Boards: 2		Independent Former Chief Financial Officer, Dataminr Director Since: 2020 Other Public Boards: 1 Committees: Audit, Compliance		Independent Managing Director, Blackstone Inc. Director Since: 2019 Other Public Boards: 0 Committees: Compensation, Nominating & Corporate Governance
Diana McKenzie, 57		Bansi Nagji, 56		Philip M. Pead, 69
Independent Former Global Chief Information Officer, Workday Inc. Director Since: 2019 Other Public Boards: 2 Committees: Audit, Compliance		Independent President, Healthcare GoodRx, Inc. Director Since: 2017 Other Public Boards: 0 Committees: Compensation, Nominating & Corporate Governance		Independent Managing Partner, Beacon Point Partners, LLC Director Since: 2017 Other Public Boards: 0 Committees: Audit, Compliance
Phillip W. Roe, 61		Neil P. Simpkins, 55		Robert J. Zollars, 64
Independent Senior Advisor, Martin Ventures, LLC Director Since: 2017 Other Public Boards: 0 Committees: Audit, Compliance		Independent Executive Advisor, Blackstone Inc. Director Since: 2017 Other Public Boards: 2 Committees: Compensation, Nominating & Corporate Governance		Independent Senior Advisor, Frazier Healthcare Partners LLC Director Since: 2017 Other Public Boards: 1 Committees: Compensation, Nominating & Corporate Governance

Corporate Responsibility

As we mature as a public company, we are committed to continuing to evolve our environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) practices, which we believe naturally align with our risk management efforts, and increasing our public disclosure of our ESG efforts.

Our Corporate Purpose

At Change Healthcare, we are inspiring a better healthcare system, and are driven by our vision, values, and code of conduct, which can be found at http://ir.changehealthcare.com. We accomplish this purpose by providing innovative data and analytics-driven solutions to improve clinical, financial and patient outcomes. Our values-Pursue Purpose, Be Agile, Champion Innovation, Include All, and Earn Trust-define how we conduct business, and drive us forward with the belief that we can make a difference. As part of our corporate purpose, we believe a socially responsible approach to operating our business is in the best interests of our stockholders, customers, employees, suppliers, and communities.

Key Focus Areas

A few of our key focus areas that support our commitment to ESG, include the following, each of which are overseen by our Board of Directors.

Data Privacy

Living our Motto: Privacy Is Everybody’s Business

As one of the largest administrative, financial and clinical healthcare networks in the United States, we are committed to responsible collection, processing, disclosure and protection of patient data.

We continuously monitor our Privacy Risk Management Framework across all levels and functions of the Change Healthcare organization through trained personnel. Our Enterprise Privacy Office has operationalized global privacy compliance with privacy automation tools that streamline management of program processes.

We utilize an integrated privacy impact assessment process for review of new and updated products and applications, as well as automated data privacy incident monitoring and reporting, risk scoring and decision-support to protect and safeguard our customers’ data.

Cybersecurity

We have a robust Information Security program that covers a range of cybersecurity activities with a primary objective of maintaining the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information under our care, while also meeting regulatory, compliance and customer requirements. Our cybersecurity program consists of a cross functional, risk-based approach to cybersecurity, including global 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week cyber threat detection and alerting and remediation technologies designed to ensure that the risk of a cybersecurity breach is mitigated and that there is a clear response plan in the event of a breach.

Change Healthcare employees are engaged through annual code of conduct privacy and security training, role-based training, communication of targeted policies and job aids, and frequent outreach through various internal platforms.

Human Capital Management and Corporate Culture Highlights

Our culture is based on innovation, compliance and integrity with Leadership DNA driving our workforce’s behavior and supporting our values.

We aim to attract, develop, and retain our team members using the human capital management and corporate culture practices summarized below.

Human Capital Governance 

Total Rewards, Health & Wellness 

Learning & Development 

Awards & Industry Recognition 

Community 

Environmental Sustainability

Culture of Compliance

The people of Change Healthcare are the heart of compliance and must be the focus of our program.

		Diversity & Inclusion
		☑  Our mission is simple - Different backgrounds, same values, one vision.

Board and Management Engagement

Our Board is active in overseeing our diversity and inclusion efforts and receives periodic updates from our CEO regarding diversity and inclusion at Change Healthcare. Our leadership team provides regular updates to our Board.

To ensure we remain committed to our diversity and inclusion efforts, our Board will monitor our progress over time.

Proposal 1  

Election of Directors 

Election of 10 Directors 

Above are our 10 nominees for election as Director, each of whom currently serves on the Board. Each nominee has stated his or her willingness to serve on the Board. All of our Director nominees who are elected at the 2022 Annual Meeting will be elected for a one-year term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023 when their successors are duly elected and qualified in accordance with our Company’s amended and restated bylaws (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”), (or earlier upon their resignation, removal or death). A plurality of the votes cast in the election of Directors at the Annual Meeting is required for the election of Directors.

For each of the 10 nominees for election as Directors at the 2022 Annual Meeting, set forth below is information as to the principal occupation of each Director during at least the past five years, the other public company directorships and the experience, qualifications, and skills that, in the opinion of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board, provide an appropriate mix of experience and skills relevant to the size and nature of our business and make the individual qualified to serve as a Director of the Company.

Director Nominees for Election at the 2022 Annual Meeting

Corporate Governance

Our Board sets high standards for our company’s officers, management, and employees. Implicit in this philosophy is the importance of sound, transparent, and effective corporate governance. The Board operates pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which can be found at http://ir.changehealthcare.com. The information contained on or accessible through our website is not considered part of this proxy statement.

Board Oversight

Risk Oversight

The Board retains broad responsibility for significant risks while delegating certain specific risk oversight responsibilities to its committees. The Board oversees our risk management activities through a combination of processes, including direct engagement with management.

Consistent with our leadership structure, the Board reviews and discusses with management our guidelines and policies with respect to risk assessment and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures.

Cybersecurity Oversight

The Compliance Committee receives quarterly reports from our Chief Information Security Officer regarding a range of cybersecurity activities that meet regulatory and customer requirements while maintaining the confidentiality and integrity of information under our care. Our cybersecurity program consists of a cross functional, risk-based approach to cybersecurity, including global 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week cyber threat detection and alerting and remediation technologies designed to ensure that the risk of a cybersecurity breach is mitigated and that there is a clear response plan in the event of a breach.

Data Privacy Oversight

Our Chief Privacy Officer reports to the Compliance Committee on a quarterly basis regarding the Company’s data privacy activities, including the development and maintenance of a robust Privacy Risk Management Framework with ownership and oversight by the Enterprise Privacy Office, the business unit privacy and compliance teams, and other appropriate stakeholders. We seek to protect and safeguard our customers’ data through an integrated privacy impact assessment process for review of new and updated products and applications, as well as through automation of data privacy incident monitoring and reporting, risk scoring and decision-support.

Compensation Risk Oversight

In administering our compensation program, the Compensation Committee strives to achieve a balance among the elements of compensation to accomplish the objectives of the program. The Compensation Committee reviews the Company’s overall compensation program in the context of the risks that may be presented by the structure of our compensation program and the metrics used to determine compensation under that program. Based upon this review, the Compensation Committee believes that our compensation program does not create a reasonable likelihood of a material adverse effect on the Company.

Government Affairs Oversight

The Board maintains oversight of our government affairs and any risk related to the reputational harm that can be caused through the misalignment of political spending in the form of soft money contributions or payments to trade associations. The Board oversees management to ensure that Change Healthcare’s political activities align with our core values and code of conduct while avoiding risk to stockholders.

Our state and federal lobbying efforts center on sharing industry best practices to help inform policymakers and support sound policy decisions. To date, we have no staff registered as lobbyists. Our contracted lobbyists and lobbying expenditures, which average less than $300,000 per year, are made transparent through required state and federal reporting. Currently, we do not have a PAC organization, and make no political contributions.

Environmental, Social and Governance Oversight

In accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Board monitors Change Healthcare’s performance on its financial objectives, strategies, goals, compliance and risk mitigation and handling of any risks or emerging risks arising from environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters, as well as the performance of management.

Anti-Harassment, Anti-Retaliation, Non-Discrimination Oversight

Matters such as sexual harassment, retaliation or discrimination of any kind are strictly prohibited at Change Healthcare. Our comprehensive policies apply to our Board, senior management, employees, and any contingent workers or business partners of Change Healthcare.

Because these matters have the ability to be disruptive to our business, cause reputational harm and decrease value for our stockholders, the Board oversees management’s handling of matters involving sexual harassment, retaliation, or discrimination and exercises its authority to address such matters independently of management.

COVID-19 Oversight

Since the beginning of the outbreak of COVID-19 (coronavirus), our Board has closely monitored Change Healthcare’s business and response, receiving frequent updates and briefings from management who, under the leadership of our Chief Executive Officer and executive leadership team, have been able to maintain business continuity, proactively act in the best interests of our business and stockholders over the short and long term, and maintain the health and safety of our most valuable asset - our employees.

Board’s Role in Long-Term Strategic Planning

Our Board takes an active role engaging with management to formulate Change Healthcare’s long-term strategy for stockholder value creation.

The Board and management deliberate on the execution of Change Healthcare’s long-term strategic plans, the status of key strategic initiatives, opportunities and risks facing Change Healthcare. Additionally, our Board periodically devotes time to conduct a long-term strategic review with management. During these reviews, our Board and management discuss, among other things, emerging innovations, competition, risks to the business, technological and industry trends, and short and long-term plans and priorities for each of our business units.

Through these processes, our Board focuses its collective experience and perspective on the most critical long-term strategic issues and opportunities facing Change Healthcare.

Committees of the Board

Board Committees

To support sound, transparent and effective corporate governance, our Board delegates certain responsibilities to our Board committees. We have four standing committees: the Audit Committee; the Compensation Committee; the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee; and the Compliance Committee. Each director who serves on our committees is independent. The Board may also establish, from time to time, any other committees that it deems necessary or desirable. The committee charters for the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are available on our Investor Relations section of our corporate website at http://ir.changehealthcare.com under Corporate Governance. Directors serve on these committees until otherwise determined by our Board.

Committee Composition

Committees	Diana McKenzie	Neil Simpkins	Nicholas Kuhar	Philip Pead	Phillip Roe	Robert Zollars	Nella Domenici	Bansi Nagji
Audit	✔			✔			✔
Compensation			✔			✔		✔
Nominating & Corporate Governance		✔	✔					✔
Compliance	✔				✔		✔

	indicates the chair of the relevant committee.
✔	indicates committee membership.

Board and Committee Responsibilities

Meetings and Attendance

All Directors are expected to make every effort to attend all meetings of the Board, meetings of the committees of which they are members and any meeting of stockholders. When applicable, Directors are encouraged to attend such meetings in person but may also attend by telephone or video conference.

Our Board met 13 times during fiscal year 2021.

In fiscal 2021, each director attended our annual meeting of stockholders and 100% of the meetings of the Board and committees on which he or she served as a member.

Committee Responsibilities

The following functions are the common recurring activities of our Board committees in carrying out their responsibilities. These functions serve as a guide, with the understanding that our committees may carry out additional functions and adopt additional policies and procedures as may be required or appropriate in light of changing business, legislative, regulatory, or other conditions. Our committees may also carry out any other responsibilities and duties delegated to them by the Board from time to time.

Board Independence

Independence Standards and Independence of Directors

Independent Directors of Change Healthcare are determined according to Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq listing requirements. The Nasdaq independence requirements include a two-part test: (i) the director must not be an employee of the Company and must not engage in various types of business dealings with the Company and (ii) the Board affirmatively determines that the Director has no direct or indirect relationship with the Company that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a Director.

In making these determinations, our Board broadly considers all relevant facts and circumstances, including detailed written information provided by each Director regarding each Director’s business and personal activities as they may relate to the Company and our management.

Majority of Independent Directors

9 of our 10 Director nominees are independent of Change Healthcare and management, in accordance with Nasdaq requirements and our Corporate Governance Guidelines.

Our Chief Executive Officer, Neil de Crescenzo, is the only member of the Board who is not independent.

Independent Advisors

In addition, our Board and each committee has the power to retain, terminate and approve the fees of independent consultants, legal, financial, accounting and other advisors, at Change Healthcare’s expense, as necessary and appropriate and in accordance with our Board committee charters, to assist in their duties to Change Healthcare and our stockholders.

Board Committee Independence

Committee Independence

All Board committees are comprised of independent Directors, as required by SEC rules and the listing rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market applicable to Board and committee service.

Financial Expertise

Each member of the Audit Committee has sufficient knowledge in financial and auditing matters to serve on the Audit Committee. In addition, Mr. Roe and Ms. Domenici meet the Nasdaq listing standard of financial sophistication and are “audit committee financial experts” under the SEC rules.

Board Composition and Leadership Structure

Board Composition and Leadership Structure

In accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines, we believe that it is important that our Board retain the flexibility to optimally address the needs of our business. At this time, we believe it is in the best interest of the business and our stockholders that the roles of Chair and Chief Executive Officer be separate.

Our President and Chief Executive Officer, Neil de Crescenzo, is a member of our Board as a non-independent Director. In choosing our Chief Executive Officer, the Board considered Mr. de Crescenzo’s significant management and leadership experience as a member of our management team and from his service in multiple management and leadership positions within large providers of software and technology products and services and Mr. de Crescenzo’s many years of experience in the healthcare software and information technology industries.

Howard Lance is Chairman of the Board. Mr. Lance brings extensive leadership and management skills developed through his prior services as a chief executive officer and director of other public companies, in addition to his past experience as chairman of legacy Change Healthcare. Mr. Lance presides over our Board meetings as Chairman of the Board.

Qualifications of Directors

In accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee monitors the mix of specific experience, qualifications and skills of our Directors in order to assure that our Board, as a whole, has the necessary tools to perform its oversight function effectively in light of Change Healthcare’s business, structure and risk.

In determining the qualifications of our Directors, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers individual qualifications which include strength of character, mature judgment, industry knowledge related to Change Healthcare, independence of thought and an ability to work collegially with the other directors serving on our Board. In assessing the diversity of skill sets for our Directors, and in accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers various and relevant career experience, diversity of background, existing commitments to other companies, potential conflicts of interest with other pursuits, legal considerations such as antitrust issues, corporate governance background, relevant technical skills, relevant business or government acumen, financial and accounting background, technology background, healthcare background, compliance background, executive compensation background and the size, composition and combined expertise of our existing Board. While neither the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee nor the Board has adopted a formal policy regarding diversity, they evaluate each candidate in the context of the Board’s membership as a whole and seek to achieve a mix of members that represents a diversity of background and experience in order to promote the representation of diverse views on the Board.

Board Diversity Matrix

The table below provides certain highlights of the composition of our Board as of February 28, 2022. Each of the categories listed in the table below has the meaning set forth in Nasdaq Rule 5605(f).

Succession Planning

Our Chairman oversees and facilitates, in consultation with our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief People Officer, annual review of a succession plan relating to our Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers that is developed by management. Our Board also delegates oversight of the succession plan developed by management to the Compensation Committee of the Board. The succession plan includes, among other things, an assessment of the experience, performance and skills for possible successors to our Chief Executive Officer. In addition, our Board approves and maintains a process regarding Chief Executive Officer succession in the event of an emergency or other sudden temporary or permanent absence of our Chief Executive Officer or executive officers.

Board Governance

Board and Committee Self-Evaluations and Individual Director Evaluations

Acting through the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and with the assistance of our Chairman, the Board conducts a self-evaluation periodically to determine whether it and its committees are functioning effectively.

The fiscal 2022 self-assessment process produced constructive feedback aimed at improving the performance and contribution of the Board and each committee. The evaluations addressed the Board’s knowledge and understanding of, and performance with respect to, the Company’s business, strategy, values and mission, the appropriateness of the Board’s structure and composition, the communication among the directors and between the Board and management, and the Board’s meeting process. Each committee reviewed, among other topics, how the committee has satisfied the responsibilities contained in its charter in the past year as well as the organization of the committee, the committee meeting process, and the committee’s oversight.

Board Nomination Process, Identifying Nominees for Election to the Board, Newly Appointed Directors

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for identifying, evaluating and recommending nominees for election to our Board. Final selection of Director nominees for election remains within the sole discretion of our Board.

Depth of experience, fitness and the ability to make meaningful contributions to our Board’s oversight of the business and affairs of Change Healthcare in addition to a willingness to exercise independent judgment, and an impeccable reputation for honest and ethical conduct that aligns with our core values, are important factors when identifying opportunities to add new directors to our Board. Additionally, in identifying new Director candidates, our Board evaluates a candidate’s time commitments to ensure the appropriate amount of time, energy, and care is given to the needs of our business.

Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee often identifies potential director candidates by asking current directors and executive officers for their recommendations of persons they believe possess the right mix of criteria and qualifications, and are prepared to represent the best interests of Change Healthcare and our stockholders. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may also engage firms that specialize in identifying director candidates to our Board. Director nominations also may be made at the recommendation of stockholders pursuant to our Amended and Restated Bylaws.

Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate candidates for nomination for election to the Board of Directors, including those recommended by stockholders on a substantially similar basis as it considers other nominees. Our amended and restated bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to the nomination of candidates for election as Directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board of Directors. In order for any matter to be “properly brought” before a meeting, a stockholder will have to comply with advance notice requirements and provide us with certain information. Generally, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders. Our Amended and Restated Bylaws also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice.

Our stockholders agreement grants Blackstone the right to designate nominees to our Board of Directors subject to the maintenance of certain ownership requirements. Mr. Nicholas L. Kuhar, an employee of Blackstone, and Mr. Neil P. Simpkins, executive advisor to Blackstone, were designated by Blackstone in accordance with the stockholders agreement. For additional information on our stockholders agreement, see “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions-Stockholders Agreement.”

Executive Sessions

Executive Sessions of Independent Directors

To ensure free and open discussion and communication, independent Directors have the opportunity to meet in executive session with no members of management present from time to time. Our Chairman convenes and chairs such sessions. In fiscal year 2021, the Board met 9 times in executive session.

Director Orientation and Continuing Education

Management, working with our Board, provides an orientation process for new Directors and coordinates Director continuing education programs. The orientation programs are designed to familiarize new Directors with Change Healthcare’s businesses, strategies, significant financial, accounting and risk management issues, corporate governance and compliance policies, and internal and external auditors. As appropriate, management creates opportunities for additional educational sessions for our Directors on matters relevant to Change Healthcare, our business, and our industry, as well as educational programs relevant to their director responsibilities.

Stockholder Engagement

Our Board and management believe engagement with our stockholders is a hallmark of sound, transparent and effective corporate governance. Consistent with our core values, we earn trust and include all. When we include all, we celebrate different ways of thinking and know that great perspectives come from outside the boardroom.

Stockholder Communications with Directors

Anyone who would like to communicate with, or otherwise make any concern known directly to the chairman of any of the Audit, Compensation, Nominating and Corporate Governance and Compliance Committees, the Chairman of the Board, or to the independent Directors as a group, may do so by addressing such communications or concerns to our Corporate Secretary, Attention: Zack Beasley, 3535 Piedmont Rd, Building 14, Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30305 or corporatesecretary@changehealthcare.com who will forward such communications to the appropriate party.

Stock Ownership Guidelines for Directors

The Compensation Committee established stock ownership guidelines for our Directors to encourage these individuals to maintain a significant ownership interest in the Company. Each Director is required to own Change Healthcare Inc. common stock equal in value to at least five times his or her annual cash retainer fees, excluding any fees received for serving as chair of a committee. For purposes of meeting these requirements, ownership includes not only shares owned directly by the Director, but also shares and stock-settled RSUs awarded under our long-term incentive equity plans. The Compensation Committee monitors annually each Director’s progress toward meeting these targets over a five-year period, at the end of which the Director is expected to have reached the applicable ownership level. All of the Company’s Directors are in compliance with the stock ownership guidelines (either because they fulfill the ownership requirements or remain within the five-year period for fulfilling the ownership requirements).

Director Compensation

For fiscal year 2021, we offered a market-competitive director compensation program for non-employee, non-Blackstone affiliated Directors. The program provides eligible Directors with an annual compensation package of $285,000 ($465,000 in the case of the Chairman) consisting of $120,000 ($300,000 in the case of the Chairman) as an annual cash retainer and $165,000 in value of restricted stock units. Restricted stock units vest in full on the first anniversary of the grant date. Eligible Directors may elect to receive their restricted stock unit award in the form of deferred stock units, which will settle on the date the director ceases to be a member of our Board.

Directors who are employed by us and Directors who are affiliated with Blackstone are not compensated by us for their services as Directors. In fiscal year 2021, Messrs. Nagji, Pead, Roe and Zollars and Mses. Domenici and McKenzie each received an annual cash retainer of $120,000. In addition, Mr. Zollars received an additional $15,000 for service as the chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, Mr. Pead received an additional $30,000 for serving as the chair of the Compliance Committee and Mr. Roe received an additional $30,000 for serving as chair of the Audit Committee. Each of Messrs. Lance, Nagji, Pead, Roe and Zollars and Mses. Domenici and McKenzie were granted 14,486 RSUs.

The table below shows amounts paid to our non-employee Directors that received compensation for the year ended March 31, 2021.

As required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, stockholders are entitled to vote to approve, on a non-binding advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement pursuant to the disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). This item, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives stockholders the opportunity to express their views on compensation for our named executive officers. The vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and our compensation objectives, policies and practices described in this proxy statement. Accordingly, we are providing our stockholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on the fiscal year 2021 compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables, and other narrative executive compensation disclosure.

Stockholders are being asked to vote on the following resolution:

“Resolved, that the stockholders approve the compensation of Change Healthcare Inc.’s named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to the disclosure rules of the SEC (which disclosure includes the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and other narrative executive compensation disclosure).”

Please refer to the section entitled “Compensation Discussion & Analysis” of this proxy statement for a detailed discussion of our executive compensation principles and practices and the fiscal year 2021 compensation of our named executive officers.

Although, as an advisory vote, this proposal is not binding upon the company or the Board, the Compensation Committee, which is comprised solely of independent directors and is responsible for making decisions regarding the amount and form of compensation paid to our executive officers, will carefully consider the stockholder vote on this matter, along with all other expressions of stockholder views it receives on specific policies and desirable actions. At our most recent Annual Meeting of Stockholders, stockholders approved holding future say-on-pay advisory votes on an annual basis, which frequency was approved and adopted by the Board. Accordingly, the next advisory vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers is scheduled to be held at our Annual Stockholder Meeting to be held during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023.

Report of the Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee, which is comprised solely of independent Directors of the Board, oversees our compensation programs and is responsible under its charter for determining the compensation of our executives. The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on this review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and incorporated by reference into our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Respectfully submitted,

Neil P. Simpkins, Chairman
Robert J. Zollars
Bansi Nagji
Nicholas L. Kuhar

Fiscal Year 2021 Named Executive Officers

Our Compensation Philosophy

Our compensation philosophy is based on our belief that our compensation programs should align our named executive officers’ interests with those of Change Healthcare and its stockholders in achieving positive and accountable business results and our strategic objectives. Accordingly, in determining the compensation of our named executive officers, we are guided by the following key principles:

We strive to maintain a performance-oriented culture and provide compensation that rewards our named executive officers when they help us achieve our objectives. At the same time, we believe an appropriate portion of their compensation should be at risk if the Company fails to achieve its goals. Consistent with this philosophy, we have sought to create an executive compensation package that balances short-term versus long-term components, cash versus equity elements and fixed versus contingent payments in ways that we believe will best motivate our named executive officers.

The Role of the Compensation Committee and Management

Our Compensation Committee maintains strategic oversight of our compensation and benefit programs.

Scope

The Compensation Committee works directly with our Chief Executive Officer to set annual compensation for our named executive officers other than our Chief Executive Officer. To this end, our Chief Executive Officer completes an evaluation of each named executive officer, makes recommendations regarding the compensation of each named executive officer, and presents his evaluations and compensation recommendations to the Compensation Committee.

Process

In implementing our compensation philosophy described above, the Compensation Committee sets the annual compensation of our named executive officers after considering the following evaluations and recommendations from our Chief Executive Officer: (i) the nature, responsibilities and experience of each named executive officer; (ii) the named executive officer’s contribution to achieving the company’s objectives; and (iii) the named executive officer’s achievement of his or her individual objectives. The Compensation Committee sets the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer in a meeting at which the Chief Executive Officer is not present. The compensation for our named executive officers is set and recommended for adoption at meetings of the Compensation Committee generally held in the first quarter of each fiscal year.

Role of the Compensation Consultant

Prior to November 2020, the Compensation Committee engaged Radford, a unit of Aon, plc. Following the expiration of that engagement, the Compensation Committee engaged Compensia, a compensation consulting firm (the “Consultant”), to assist in aligning compensation for our named executive officers with market practices. The Compensation Committee has concluded that the Consultant is an independent consultant after considering the factors relevant to the Consultant’s independence from management, including the factors set forth by the SEC rules regarding compensation consultant independence and Compensia does not provide any services to us other than the services provided to the Board and its committees. Based on input from the Consultant, we believe that the components and mix of our compensation program are consistent with current competitive compensation components and practices in our industry and align the interests of executives with the interests of our stockholders by correlating pay to the achievement of both short- and long-term objectives.

Our peer group, reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee, was selected based on weighted parameters and financial information and is intended to ensure that we remain within a reasonable range of the peer median in terms of revenue, headcount and market value. The Compensation Committee periodically reviews our named peer group; however, in light of the previously announced transaction with UnitedHealth Group, no changes were made to our named peer group in fiscal year 2021 and we did not engage in formalized benchmarking against a peer group in fiscal year 2021.

Components of Our Executive Compensation Program

Our Compensation Committee regularly monitors executive compensation trends and best practices, our business needs, and relevant regulatory changes in order to ensure that our compensation program is competitive in the market and align pay to performance. Compensation for our named executive officers consists of the following key components:

Base Salary

We provide each named executive officer with a base salary for the services that the executive officer performs for us. This compensation component constitutes a stable element of compensation while other compensation elements are variable. Base salaries are reviewed annually and may be increased based on the individual performance of the named executive officer, Company performance, any change in the executive’s position within our business, the scope of his or her responsibilities and any changes thereto. The base salaries in effect for fiscal year 2021, were as follows: Mr. de Crescenzo, $850,000; Mr. Eliasson, $650,000; Mr. Joshi, $450,883; Mr. Martin, $600,000; and Mr. O’Reilly, $535,580.

None of our named executive officers received increases to their base salaries in fiscal year 2021. Mr. O’Reilly’s compensation was converted to be paid in Canadian dollars in connection with the transfer of his employment to our Canadian payroll effective January 1, 2021, but his compensation was not increased.

Annual Cash Incentive Program

We provide our named executive officers with the opportunity to share in our success through annual cash incentive awards under our annual cash incentive program (the “AIP”). The AIP provides Change Healthcare’s senior management and certain other key employees the opportunity to earn annual cash compensation in addition to their base salaries. The Compensation Committee has general authority for oversight and interpretation of the AIP. The Compensation Committee, with the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer (other than with respect to himself), is responsible for (i) setting annual objective performance targets; (ii) reviewing actual performance; and (iii) determining the amount of the compensation payable to each named executive officer.

Under the AIP, a participant’s annual target incentive opportunity is calculated as a percentage of the participant’s eligible base salary, with the target percentage generally being aligned with the participant’s level and role at the Company. The funding of annual cash incentive awards under the AIP is generally dependent on achievement of annual objective performance targets by the Company as a whole and of the operating division or divisions to which a participant provides services, if applicable. The amount of compensation a participant is eligible to be paid under the AIP is determined primarily on the basis of objective Company performance measures determined by the Compensation Committee each year. Currently we use Adjusted EBITDA and revenue as these performance measures, with the ability to further reflect the attainment of individual objectives.

After reviewing the actual performance of the Company, the Compensation Committee, with recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer (other than with respect to himself), then undertakes an evaluation of each named executive officer’s performance. The Compensation Committee does not rely on preset formulas, thresholds or multiples in its evaluation, but instead relies upon its and our Chief Executive Officer’s judgment after careful consideration of an executive’s performance during the year against pre-established objectives, leadership qualities, operational performance, business responsibilities, long-term potential to enhance stockholder value, current compensation arrangements and tenure with the Company.

Fiscal Year 2021

The Compensation Committee determined that for fiscal year 2021 company-wide or corporate level financial performance would account for 100% of the annual cash incentive opportunity for Messrs. de Crescenzo, Eliasson and Martin and, for Messrs. Joshi and O’Reilly, the financial performance of the named executive officer’s corporate business unit would account for 50% of the executive’s annual cash incentive opportunity with company-wide performance as a whole accounting for the remaining 50%. For Messrs. de Crescenzo, Eliasson, and Martin, 60% of the financial performance measures were based on Adjusted EBITDA and 40% was based on revenue targets under the AIP. For Messrs. Joshi and O’Reilly, 60% of the fiscal year 2021 financial performance measures for both the Company as a whole and the executive’s corporate business unit, as applicable, were equally weighted and based on Adjusted EBITDA targets and 40% were equally weighted and based on revenue targets under the AIP. We believe the combination of these performance factors and the proportionate weighting assigned to each reflected our overall Company goals for fiscal year 2021, which balanced the achievement of revenue growth with improving our operating efficiency. Notwithstanding the establishment of the performance components and the formula for determining the AIP award payment amounts as described below, the Compensation Committee has the ability to exercise positive or negative discretion and award a greater or lesser amount to our named executive officers under the AIP than the amount determined by the above formula if, in the exercise of its business judgment, the Compensation Committee determines that a greater or lesser amount is warranted under the circumstances.

The weighted achievement factor for each of the financial performance measures is generally determined by multiplying the weight attributed to each performance measure by the applicable achievement factor for each measure. For each of the performance measures, the achievement factor is determined by calculating the payout percentage against the target goal based on the following pre-established scale:

If achievement with respect to any performance measure falls between the threshold and target payout percentages, or between the target and maximum payout percentages, the achievement factor for that particular performance measure will be interpolated on a straight-line mathematical basis. If achievement with respect to any performance measure does not reach threshold payout percentage, then that measure will be deemed to have 0% attainment.

The following tables outline the calculation of the funding attainment based on the pre-established scale associated with our actual results against the targets and the resulting weighted and combined achievement factors:

Messrs. de Crescenzo, Eliasson and Martin

Mr. Joshi

Mr. O’Reilly

The Compensation Committee has reserved the ability to adjust the actual financial performance results to exclude the effects of extraordinary, unusual or infrequently occurring events. For fiscal year 2021, the Compensation Committee determined that given the strong company-wide financial performance in an unusual and difficult year due to COVID-19, a harmonized weighted financial performance achievement factor of 173.7% would be applied for all AIP participants, including our named executive officers. Mr. de Crescenzo’s AIP payout is capped at 200% of base salary pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement. In light of the aforementioned factors, the Compensation Committee elected to pay Mr. de Crescenzo a discretionary bonus of $625,409 that would otherwise have been payable under the AIP based upon his combined performance factor, which is reflected in the bonus column of the Summary Compensation Table below. In the case of Mr. O’Reilly, this adjustment resulted in an incremental $77,846 being paid to Mr. O’Reilly, which is reflected in the bonus column of the Summary Compensation Table. Individual performance factors (discussed below) were also applied in order to determine a combined performance factor for each of our named executive officers.

After determining the financial performance attainment levels, the Compensation Committee, with input from the Chief Executive Officer for all named executive officers participating in the AIP except for himself, then determines each named executive officer’s individual performance attainment based on an assessment of the named executive officer’s achievement of previously established individual performance goals. For fiscal year 2021, the individual performance goals included:

We did not use a formula or assign any particular relative weighting to any individual performance measure. The individual performance attainment percentage can range from 0% to 150%, subject to any overall maximum AIP opportunity set forth in a named executive officer’s offer letter or the Chief Executive Officer’s employment agreement. For fiscal year 2021, the Compensation Committee determined that the following adjustments to the individual performance factors were necessary: Mr. de Crescenzo received a 105% multiplier due to managing significant unexpected risks and achieving strong financial performance despite the impact of COVID-19; Mr. Eliasson received a 105% multiplier due to managing significant unexpected risks and achieving strong financial performance despite the impact of COVID-19; Mr. Joshi received a 150% multiplier exceeding sales and financial performance targets, leading two acquisitions providing the company’s entry into the pharmacy market, and the introduction of new products; Mr. Martin received a 110% multiplier due to strong performance against engineering, IT infrastructure and service, organizational and transformation objectives; and Mr. O’Reilly received a 100% multiplier due to broadly attaining his objectives.

Actual amounts paid under the AIP were calculated by multiplying each named executive officer’s base salary in effect on March 31, 2021 by (i) his or her AIP target annual cash incentive opportunity (which is reflected as a percentage of eligible base salary); (ii) the executive’s weighted financial performance achievement factor; and (iii) the individual performance attainment percentage.

The following table illustrates the calculations of the annual cash awards payable to each named executive officer under the 2021 AIP based on fiscal year 2021 financial performance and individual performance.

Sign-on, Retention and Discretionary Bonuses

From time to time, we may award sign-on, retention and discretionary bonuses to attract or retain executive talent. Generally, sign-on bonuses are used to incentivize candidates to leave their current employers or may be used to offset the loss of unvested compensation they may forfeit as a result of leaving their current employers. In fiscal 2021, the Company paid a $250,000 sign on bonus to Mr. Martin in accordance with the terms of his offer letter and a $25,000 transition bonus to Mr. O’Reilly upon his transition from an international assignment to a local compensation package.

Equity-Based Awards

In fiscal year 2021, certain Directors and key executives, including each of the named executive officers, were granted long-term equity incentive awards under the 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Omnibus Plan”) that are designed to align a portion of our named executive officers’ compensation with the interests of our stockholders and to incentivize them to remain in our service. In fiscal year 2021, we granted our named executive officers restricted stock units (RSUs) and performance stock units (PSUs).

Restricted Stock Units

For fiscal year 2021, each of our named executive officers received 50% of his annual equity grant in the form of a grant of time-based vesting RSUs under our Omnibus Plan. These RSUs generally vest over four years, with 25% of the RSUs vesting on each anniversary of the grant date.

Due to requirements imposed by the Tax Matters Agreement between McKesson and the Company in order to preserve McKesson’s tax-free exit, certain of our executives cannot receive shares of our common stock for two years following McKesson’s exit as an investor in the Company, which occurred on March 10, 2020. Therefore, Messrs. de Crescenzo, and Joshi received a grant of both (i) cash-settled RSUs, for awards that could potentially vest within that two-year period (representing 25% of the executive’s RSU grant); and (ii) stock-settled RSUs, for awards that could not vest within that two-year period (representing 75% of the executive’s RSU grant). Subject to the named executive officer’s continued employment, cash-settled RSUs granted to Messrs. de Crescenzo and Joshi vest over one year, with 100% of the cash-settled RSUs vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date. One-third of the stock-settled RSUs will vest on the second anniversary of the grant date, with the remaining two-thirds vesting in equal installments on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date, subject to the named executive officer’s continued employment. Under the terms of the merger agreement with UnitedHealth Group, at the time of closing all outstanding time-vesting RSUs will be converted into time-vesting RSUs of UnitedHealth Group.

Performance Stock Units

In addition, each of our named executive officers received 50% of his annual equity grant in the form of PSUs that may be earned based upon the achievement of certain revenue and Adjusted EBITDA targets over a three-year performance period, with a weighting of 60% for the revenue targets and 40% for the Adjusted EBITDA targets. The number of PSUs that are earned will be determined following the end of the three-year performance period and any earned PSUs will vest on the fourth anniversary of the grant date.

The total number of PSUs that are earned at the end of the performance period will range from a payout of 0% to a maximum of 200% as determined by measuring actual performance over the performance period for Adjusted EBITDA and Revenue against the performance goals based on a pre-established scale. Payout for achievement between the performance levels will be determined based on a straight-line interpolation of the applicable payout range. Payouts are subject to the named executive officer’s continued employment through the end of the vesting period, and are paid out after the certification of the performance results by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee chose Adjusted EBITDA and Revenue performance goals that are, in the compensation committee’s view, challenging but achievable. Under the terms of the merger agreement with UnitedHealth Group, at the time of closing all outstanding PSUs will be converted to time-vesting RSUs of UnitedHealth Group assuming target performance.

Legacy eRx Replacement Awards

In May 2020, we exercised our option to purchase and completed the acquisition of eRx Network Holdings, Inc. (“eRx”), a leading provider in comprehensive, innovative and secure data-driven solutions for pharmacies. Upon completion of the eRx acquisition all outstanding eRx equity awards were canceled. Holders of eRx stock options and vested eRx stock appreciation rights, including Messrs. de Crescenzo and Joshi, were able to elect to receive consideration in the form of a cash payment or vested stock appreciation rights of the Company. There were 478,180 of vested SARs granted in conjunction with the eRx acquisition, including 314,595 to Mr. de Crescenzo and 72,070 to Mr. Joshi. These awards will remain outstanding until the individual holders exercise their award but are fully vested.

For individuals with unvested eRx equity awards, we elected to issue replacement awards with vesting and exercisability terms generally identical to the existing eRx awards which were replaced. These replacement awards were granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plan and consisted of unvested RSUs and unvested SARs with terms identical to the original eRx awards. In connection with the eRx acquisition, Mr. de Crescenzo and Mr. Joshi received 64,327 and 18,011 RSUs, respectively. The awards vest subject to the employee’s continued employment through the date when Blackstone has sold at least 25% of the maximum number of shares held by it (i.e., a liquidity event) and achieved specified rates of return that vary by award. Upon vesting and upon exercise of the outstanding vested SARs, we are required to pay cash in settlement of such eRx awards based on their fair value at the vesting date.

Retirement and Other Benefits

Our named executive officers are eligible to receive the same benefits we provide, and to participate in all plans we offer, to other full-time employees, including health and dental insurance, group term life insurance, short-and long-term disability insurance, other health and welfare benefits, our 401(k) Savings Plan or, in the case of Mr. O’Reilly after January 1, 2021, our Group Registered Retirement Plan (including, in each case, Change Healthcare’s matching contribution) and other voluntary benefits.

In fiscal year 2021, Change Healthcare offered two unfunded, nonqualified retirement plans, the DCAP and Supplemental 401(k) Plan, to select executives employed by Change Healthcare, including named executive officers on U.S. payroll. For more information regarding the Company’s retirement plans, see “Narrative to Nonqualified Deferred Compensation for Fiscal Year 2021 Table.”

Perquisites

We offer a limited number of perquisites for our named executive officers, including annual executive physical exams. In addition, Mr. O’Reilly was on an international assignment until March 15, 2020 and was entitled to certain additional benefits in connection with such assignment (including certain tax equalization and gross ups thereon) that were payable to him in calendar year 2020. The value of other perquisites offered to our named executive officers was not above $10,000 and therefore is not reflected in the Summary Compensation Table. The Compensation Committee regularly reviews the benefits provided to our executives and makes appropriate modifications based on the value of these benefits.

Change in Control and Severance Arrangements

We have developed market-competitive executive severance guidelines (the “Executive Severance Guidelines”). With the exception of Mr. de Crescenzo, who remains party to an employment agreement with us, Mr. Eliasson whose offer letter provides certain severance protections, and Mr. O’Reilly who is statutorily required to have an employment agreement in Canada, none of our named executive officers is subject to an employment agreement but are instead subject to our Executive Severance Guidelines. The Executive Severance Guidelines generally provide for (i) a lump sum severance payment equal to twelve months of base salary; and (ii) a lump sum payment equal to the cost of continued health care coverage at active employee rates for 12 months should the named executive officer’s employment be terminated either by us without cause or by the executive due to constructive termination. The benefits provided under the Executive Severance Guidelines are contingent upon the affected named executive officer’s execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims and compliance with specified restrictive covenants.

Mr. de Crescenzo is party to an employment agreement with us governing the terms of his employment and any future separation. Pursuant to Mr. de Crescenzo’s employment agreement, we provide salary continuation and other benefits in the event of involuntary or, in certain cases, constructive terminations of his employment without cause. Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. de Crescenzo is subject to restrictive covenants, including confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation obligations pursuant to a restrictive covenant agreement with the Company. The amounts payable to Mr. de Crescenzo upon a termination of employment are subject to Mr. de Crescenzo’s execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims in favor of the Company.

Mr. Eliasson’s offer letter provides that he will receive severance benefits in accordance with the Executive Severance Guidelines in place at the time of his separation from employment. However, if his employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” (as such term is defined in the Executive Severance Guidelines) or by Mr. Eliasson for “good reason” (as such term is defined in the HCIT Holdings, Inc. 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2009 Equity Plan”)), his offer letter provides that he will be entitled to no less than a lump sum payment equal to (i) one-times his base salary; (ii) his target AIP bonus plus (iii) a lump sum amount equal to the portion of health insurance premium that the Company would have paid for active employees with similar coverage for a period of 12 months. These payments and benefits are contingent upon Mr. Eliasson’s execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims in favor of the Company. Mr. Eliasson is subject to restrictive covenants, including confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation obligations pursuant to a restrictive covenant agreement with the Company.

Mr. O’Reilly’s employment was transferred from the United States to Canada effective January 1, 2021 and all employees located in Canada are statutorily required to have an employment agreement. If Mr. O’Reilly’s employment is terminated without “cause” by the Company or by Mr. O’Reilly for “good reason” (as such terms are defined under the Executive Severance Guidelines or Canadian law, as applicable), in addition to certain accrued amounts, Mr. O’Reilly will be entitled to receive (i) 12 months of base salary and (ii) continued coverage under the Company’s Canadian medical, dental and prescription drug plans on the same terms as active employees during the 12 month period following termination of employment. In addition, if Mr. O’Reilly’s employment is terminated by the Company within 12 months of a change in control, he will also be entitled to a payment equal to his target bonus. The amounts payable to Mr. O’Reilly upon a termination of employment are subject to Mr. O’Reilly’s execution and non-revocation of a general release of claims in favor of the Company. Mr. O’Reilly is subject to restrictive covenants, including confidentiality, non-competition and non-solicitation obligations pursuant to a restrictive covenant agreement with the Company.

In addition to any existing severance arrangements, any other compensation and benefits ultimately awarded in connection with a separation are determined at the discretion of the Compensation Committee and may be based on the executive, his or her position, the nature of the potential separation and such executive’s compliance with specified post-termination restrictive covenants.

Changes to Equity Award Change in Control Provisions

In March 2020, the Compensation Committee approved an amendment to the Company’s outstanding equity award agreements to provide for “double-trigger” vesting treatment for outstanding equity awards, including those granted to our named executive officers. This amendment applies to outstanding performance vesting options, performance share awards, restricted stock units and performance share units granted under both the 2009 Equity Plan and the Omnibus Plan. For purposes of these awards, “double-trigger” vesting treatment means that, in the event of a termination of employment by us without “cause” (as defined in the applicable plan) or a resignation by an individual for “good reason,” in either case, within 12 months following a “change in control” (as such term, or similar term, is defined in the applicable plan), the vesting of these outstanding equity awards will be accelerated.

For purposes of the amendment, “good reason” means: (i) a material diminution in the executive’s authority, title, duties or responsibilities, or the assignment to the executive of any duties inconsistent with the executive’s position; (ii) a material reduction in the executive’s base salary or target bonus opportunity; (iii) relocation by more than 50 miles of the executive’s principal place of employment; or (iv) a material reduction in the level of employee benefits provided to the executive.

See “Potential Payments upon a Termination or Change in Control,” which describes the payments to which our named executive officers may be entitled under their individual employment arrangements or the Executive Severance Guidelines, as applicable.

Employment Agreements

With the exception of Mr. de Crescenzo, who remains party to an employment agreement with us, Mr. Eliasson whose offer letter provides certain severance protections, and Mr. O’Reilly who is statutorily required to have an employment agreement in Canada, none of our named executive officers are subject to an employment agreement. The Compensation Committee believes that employment agreements are not necessary to attract members of our executive team and, going forward, entering into employment agreements with executives will be done on an exception-only basis as recommended by the Compensation Committee and approved by the board of directors. Due to the changing marketplace in which we compete for talent, the Compensation Committee regularly reviews this practice to help ensure that we remain competitive in our industry.

Stock Ownership Guidelines

In fiscal year 2020, the Compensation Committee established stock ownership guidelines for the named executive officers to encourage these individuals to maintain a significant ownership interest in the Company and to help align the interests of the executives with the long-term objectives of the Company. Our Chief Executive Officer is required to own Change Healthcare common stock equal in value to at least six times his annual salary. Each of the other named executive officers is required to own Change Healthcare common stock equal in value to at least three times his annual salary. For purposes of meeting these requirements, ownership includes not only shares owned directly by the named executive officer, but also shares and stock-settled RSUs awarded under our long-term incentive equity plans. The Compensation Committee will monitor annually each named executive officer’s progress toward meeting these targets over a five-year period, at the end of which the named executive officer is expected to have reached the applicable ownership level.

Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policy

The Company’s Securities Trading Policy, applicable to all employees, directors and officers, prohibits the hedging (including through prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars, and exchange funds), pledging or short-selling of the Company’s stock. None of our named executive officers engaged in any hedging or pledging activities with respect to the Company’s stock during fiscal year 2021.

Clawback Policy

The Compensation Committee adopted the Incentive Compensation Clawback Policy (the “Clawback Policy”) in order to ensure that incentive compensation is paid or awarded based on accurate financial results and the correct calculation of performance against incentive targets. For purposes of the Clawback Policy, incentive compensation means performance bonuses and long-term incentive awards, including cash, stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, RSUs, PSUs or other equity-based awards that have been paid, granted, vested, settled or accrued. In the event of a significant restatement of our financial results due to material non-compliance with financial reporting requirements or if a covered person engages in any detrimental activity, the Compensation Committee reserves the right to seek recovery of any overpayment of any incentive compensation or cause the reduction, cancellation or forfeiture of any incentive compensation. The Clawback Policy covers all current and former Section 16 officers as well as any other current and former employee designated by the Board of Directors, the Compensation Committee or the Chief Executive Officer.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table summarizes the compensation earned by each of our named executive officers for the fiscal years indicated.

Amounts shown in the table reflect the components of All Other Compensation, including any perquisites and personal benefits received by named executive officers in fiscal year 2021 to the extent that the total value of such perquisites and personal benefits was equal to or exceeded $10,000. Items deemed perquisites are valued on the basis of their aggregate incremental cost to the Company. For fiscal year 2021, the value of any perquisites to our named executive officers, other than Mr. O’Reilly, did not equal or exceed $10,000.

Grants of Plan-Based Awards in Fiscal Year 2021

The following table provides information relating to (i) awards granted under our AIP; and (ii) RSUs and PSUs granted during fiscal year 2021.

Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

Employment Arrangements

As discussed above, none of our executive officers is party to an employment agreement, other than Mr. de Crescenzo and Mr. Eliasson, and Mr. O’Reilly. The material provisions of Mr. de Crescenzo’s employment agreement and Mr. O’Reilly’s employment agreement are described below. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Employment Agreements” above for additional information.

Mr. de Crescenzo’s Employment Agreement

Mr. de Crescenzo’s amended and restated employment agreement, effective as of June 3, 2017, provides that he is to serve as our President and Chief Executive Officer on an at-will basis. The employment agreement does not contain a specified term and will continue until terminated by either party, provided that Mr. de Crescenzo is required to provide 30 days’ advance written notice prior to his resignation. Mr. de Crescenzo’s employment agreement provides for: (i) a minimum base salary of $721,000; and (ii) eligibility to receive an annual cash incentive award under the AIP with a target of 100% of base salary and a maximum payout of 200% of base salary. Mr. de Crescenzo also is entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements generally made available to other executive officers generally. The severance terms contained in Mr. de Crescenzo’s employment agreement are described below under “—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control—Severance Benefits—Employment Arrangements.”

Mr. O’Reilly’s Employment Agreement

Effective as of January 1, 2021, Mr. O’Reilly’s employment was transferred from the United States to Canada and all employees located in Canada are statutorily required to have an employment agreement. The employment agreement does not contain a specified term and will continue until terminated by either party or by mutual consent, provided that Mr. O’Reilly is required to provide at least two weeks advance written notice prior to his resignation. Mr. O’Reilly’s employment agreement provides for: (i) a minimum base salary of CAN $672,746; (ii) eligibility to receive an annual cash incentive award under the AIP with a target of 85% of base salary; and (iii) eligibility for participation in the Company’s long-term incentive program. Mr. O’Reilly is entitled to participate in all employee benefit plans, programs and arrangements generally made available to employees of Change Healthcare Canada and other executive officers generally. The severance terms contained in Mr. O’Reilly’s employment agreement are described below under “—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control—Severance Benefits—Employment Arrangements.”

Equity Award Restrictive Covenants and Clawback

By accepting an equity award, our named executive officers agreed to certain restrictive covenants, including an indefinite covenant not to disclose confidential information and not to disparage us, and, during each of the named executive officer’s employment and for the one-year period following any termination of employment (or such longer period as the named executive officer is eligible to receive severance payments from us), covenants related to non-competition and non-solicitation of employees, customers or suppliers, which were incorporated into their respective award agreements.

If a named executive officer materially breaches any of these restrictive covenants, is terminated for cause or after termination it is discovered that grounds for termination for cause existed, then we have the right to “claw back” and recover any gains the named executive officer may have realized with respect to his or her shares acquired under the terms of the equity award agreement.

Outstanding Equity Awards at 2021 Fiscal Year-End

The following table provides information regarding outstanding equity awards held by each of our named executive officers as of March 31, 2021.

Option Exercises and Stock Vested in Fiscal Year 2021

The following table provides information regarding the vesting of RSUs held by our named executive officers during fiscal year 2021: