Accretive Health (NYSE: AH) reported earnings on Feb. 29. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), Accretive Health beat expectations on revenue and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue expanded significantly and GAAP earnings per share grew significantly.

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
Accretive Health logged revenue of $260.1 million. The nine analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see a top line of $254.3 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 53% higher than the prior-year quarter's $170.0 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.17. The 10 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated $0.16 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.13 for Q4 were 160% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.05 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 25.2%, 270 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 8.5%, 310 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 5.1%, 180 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $229.8 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.06.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $1.11 billion. The average EPS estimate is $0.64.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a two-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 34 members out of 43 rating the stock outperform, and nine members rating it underperform. Among 11 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), six give Accretive Health a green thumbs-up, and five give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on Accretive Health is outperform, with an average price target of $28.75.

The healthcare investing landscape is littered with also-rans and a few major winners. Is Accretive Health prepared for the future? Read "Discover the Next Rule-Breaking Multibagger" to learn about a company David Gardner believes will deliver amazing returns during the next few years. Click here for instant access to this free report.