SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of November 2004

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE CORPORATION

Else-Kröner Strasse 1
61346 Bad Homburg
Germany
(Address of principal executive offices)

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F þ            Form 40-F o

     Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):             

     Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):             

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Yes o            No þ

     If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82            

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG
TABLE OF CONTENTS

(i)

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements

1

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
For the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements

2

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG
Consolidated Balance Sheets
At September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements

3

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003
(unaudited)
(in thousands)

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements

4

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity
For the nine months ended September 30, 2004 (unaudited) and year ended December 31, 2003
(in thousands, except share data)

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements

5

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

     Fresenius Medical Care AG (“FME” or the “Company”) is a German stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft). The Company is primarily engaged in (i) providing kidney dialysis services and clinical laboratory testing and (ii) manufacturing and distributing products and equipment for dialysis treatment.

Basis of Presentation

     The consolidated financial statements at September 30, 2004 and for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 in this report are unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements in the Company’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 20-F. Such financial statements reflect all adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.

     The results of operations for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the year ending December 31, 2004.

     In the fourth quarter of 2001, the Company recorded a $258,159 ($177,159 after tax) special charge to address 1996 merger-related legal matters, estimated liabilities and legal expenses arising in connection with the W.R. Grace & Co. Chapter 11 proceedings (the “Grace Chapter 11 Proceedings”) and the cost of resolving pending litigation and other disputes with certain commercial insurers (see Note 11).

     The Company accrued $172,034 principally representing a provision for income taxes payable for the years prior to the 1996 merger for which the Company has been indemnified by W.R. Grace & Co., but may ultimately be obligated to pay as a result of Grace’s Chapter 11 Proceedings. In addition, that amount included the costs of defending the Company in litigation arising out of the Grace Chapter 11 Proceedings (see Note 11).

     The Company included $55,489 in the special charge to provide for settlement obligations, legal expenses and the resolution of disputed accounts receivable relating to various insurance companies.

     The remaining amount of the special charge of $30,636 was accrued mainly for (i) assets and receivables that are impaired in connection with other legal matters and (ii) anticipated expenses associated with the continued defense and resolution of the legal matters.

     During the second quarter of 2003, the court supervising the Grace Chapter 11 Proceedings approved the definitive settlement agreement entered into among the Company, the committee representing the asbestos creditors and W.R. Grace & Co. Based on these developments, the Company has reduced its estimate for the settlement and related

6

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

costs of the Grace Chapter 11 Proceedings by $39,000. This reduction of the provision for the W.R. Grace & Co. matter has been applied to the other components of the special charge (i.e. reserves for settlement obligations and disputed accounts receivable from commercial insurers and other merger-related legal matters described in this note).

     At September 30, 2004, there is a remaining balance of $127,015 for the accrual for the special charge for legal matters. The Company believes that these reserves are adequate for the settlement of all matters described above. During the three and nine months ended September 2004, $9,282 and $11,139, respectively, in charges were applied against the accrued special charge for legal matters.

     In December 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued FASB Interpretation No. 46R Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (revised) (“FIN 46R”). FIN 46R explains the concept of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and requires consolidation by the primary beneficiary where the variable interest entity does not have sufficient equity at risk to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties or the equity investors lack the essential characteristics of a controlling financial interest. The Company enters into various arrangements with certain dialysis clinics to provide management services, financing and product supply. Some of these clinics are variable interest entities. Under FIN 46R these clinics are consolidated if the Company is determined to be the primary beneficiary. The Company also participates in a joint venture which is engaged in the perfusion industry. The arrangements with the joint venture partner are such that it qualifies as a variable interest entity and the Company is the primary beneficiary. These variable interest entities in which the Company is the primary beneficiary, generate approximately $146,000 in annual revenue.

     In accordance with FIN 46R, the Company fully consolidates the VIEs. The interest held by the minority shareholders in these consolidated VIEs is reported as minority interest in the consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2004. The VIEs have had no impact on shareholders’ equity. The results of operations for the VIEs have been included in the consolidated statement of earnings beginning April 1, 2004.

     The Company also has relationships with variable interest entities where it is not the primary beneficiary. These variable interest entities consist of a number of dialysis facilities whose operations are not material in the aggregate and a management company with which the Company has had a relationship with since 1998. The management company has approximately $10,000 in sales and the Company has no potential losses as a result of its relationship.

7

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

     At September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, long-term debt and capital lease obligations consisted of the following:

2003 Senior Credit Agreement

     On February 21, 2003, the Company entered into an amended and restated bank agreement (hereafter, the “2003 Senior Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America N.A, Credit Suisse First Boston, Dresdner Bank AG New York, JPMorgan Chase Bank, The Bank of Nova Scotia and certain other lenders (collectively, the “Lenders”), replacing the 1996 Senior Credit Agreement that was scheduled to expire at September 30, 2003. Under the terms of the 2003 Senior Credit Agreement, the Lenders made available to the Company and certain subsidiaries and affiliates an aggregate amount of up to $1,500,000.

     On August 22, 2003, the 2003 Senior Credit Agreement was amended (Amendment 1) so that, in effect, the aggregate amount of $1,500,000 was voluntarily reduced to $1,400,000 and the interest rate on a new term loan facility (Loan C) was 25 basis points lower than on Loan B, which was repaid. The revolving loan facility and Loan A under the 2003 Senior Credit Agreement remain outstanding and were not affected by the amendment.

     On May 7, 2004, the 2003 Senior Credit Agreement was amended (Amendment 2) so that Loan A was increased from $500,000 to $575,000, the revolving credit facility was increased from $500,000 to $575,000 and a new term loan (Loan D, see below) was added at $250,000. The combination of these increases together with funds from the Accounts Receivable Facility were used to pay off Loan C.

As of September 30, 2004, the credit facilities are:

8

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

     For the revolving credit facility and Loan A, interest is at a rate equal to LIBOR plus an applicable margin, or base rate, defined as the higher of the Bank of America prime rate or the Federal Funds rate plus 0.5% plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin is variable and depends on the ratio of the Company’s funded debt to EBITDA as defined in the 2003 Senior Credit Agreement. Loan D has an initial interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.50% or the base rate plus 0.50%. In addition to scheduled principal payments, indebtedness outstanding under the 2003 Senior Credit Agreement will be reduced by portions of the net cash proceeds from certain sales of assets, securitization transactions other than the Company’s existing accounts receivable financing facility and the issuance of subordinated debt.

     The 2003 Senior Credit Agreement contains affirmative and negative covenants with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries and other payment restrictions. Some of the covenants limit indebtedness of the Company and investments by the Company, and require the Company to maintain certain ratios defined in the agreement. Additionally, the 2003 Senior Credit Agreement provides for a dividend restriction which is $180,000 for dividends paid in 2005, and increases in subsequent years. The Company paid dividends of $122,106 in 2004. In default, the outstanding balance under the 2003 Senior Credit Facility becomes immediately due and payable at the option of the Lenders. As of September 30, 2004, the Company is in compliance with all covenants under the 2003 Senior Credit Agreement.

Euro Notes

     In 2001, the Company issued four tranches of senior notes (“Euro Notes”) totaling €128,500 in aggregate principal amount. The first tranche was for €80,000 with a fixed interest rate of 6.16% and the second and third tranches were for €28,500 and €15,000, respectively, with variable interest rates that averaged 3.44% in the first 9 months of 2004 and 3.85% in the same period of 2003. The final tranche was for €5,000 at a fixed rate of 5.33%. All four tranches have a maturity date of July 13, 2005. Both floating rates are tied to the EURIBOR rate.

Accounts Receivable Facility

     Fresenius Medical Care Holdings, Inc. (“FMCH”), a substantially wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, has an asset securitization facility (the “accounts receivable facility”) whereby certain receivables are sold to NMC Funding Corporation (“NMC Funding”), a special purpose entity and a wholly-owned subsidiary. NMC Funding then sells and assigns undivided ownership interests in the accounts receivable to certain bank investors. The Company amended the accounts receivable facility effective January 1, 2004. Under the terms of the amendment, NMC Funding retains the right to repurchase all transferred interests in the accounts receivable sold to the banks under the facility. The repurchase of all transferred interests in the accounts receivable would result in the termination of the accounts receivable facility under the terms of the facility agreement.

     NMC Funding recognized its retained interests in the undivided ownership interests in accounts receivable sold to the bank investors in its statement of financial position as of January 1, 2004, the effective date of the amendment. NMC Funding recorded a corresponding short-term obligation for

9

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

amounts outstanding under the facility. Additionally, FMCH has consolidated NMC Funding as of January 1, 2004 as the special purpose entity is no longer demonstratively distinct from FMCH under the terms of the amendment. An entity is demonstratively distinct only if the entity cannot be unilaterally dissolved by the transferor and at least 10% of its beneficial interests are held by parties other than the transferor. Under the amendment, if NMC Funding exercises its right to repurchase the retained interests in the accounts receivable, the agreement with the bank investors would be terminated and FMCH would hold all beneficial interests remaining in NMC Funding.

     At September 30, 2004 there are outstanding short-term borrowings under the facility of $67,000. NMC Funding pays interest to the bank investors, calculated based on the commercial paper rates for the particular tranches selected. The effective interest rate ranged from 1.94%-2.98% during the nine months ended September 30, 2004. Under the terms of the facility agreement, new interests in accounts receivable are sold as collections reduce previously sold accounts receivable. The costs are expensed as incurred and recorded as interest expense and related financing costs. On October 21, 2004 the Company amended the accounts receivable facility to extend the maturity date to October 20, 2005.

     During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, the Company acquired certain health care and distribution facilities for a total consideration of $81,361. $73,981 of the total consideration was paid in cash.

     As of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, inventories consisted of the following:

     The carrying value and accumulated amortization of intangible assets are as follows:

10

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

     Amortization expense for amortizable intangible assets at September 30, 2004 is estimated to be $8,260 for the remainder of 2004, $30,234 for 2005, $26,630 for 2006, $18,909 for 2007 and $10,046 for 2008.

Goodwill

     Increases in the carrying amount of goodwill are mainly a result of acquisitions made during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 totaling $81,361 (see Note 5). The segment detail is as follows:

11

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

     During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2004, minority interests increased mostly as a result of the Implementation of FIN 46R (See Note 3).

     The Company accounts for its stock option plans using the intrinsic value method in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations, as allowed by SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, subject to complying with the additional disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 as amended by SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure — an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123. As such, compensation expense is recorded only if the current market price of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price on the measurement date. For stock incentive plans which are performance based, the Company recognizes compensation expense over the vesting periods, based on the then current market values of the underlying stock.

     The following table illustrates the effect on net income and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to stock based employee compensation.

     During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, approximately 235,800 options were granted to board members and 758,939 to employees under the 2001 International Stock Incentive Plan. For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, employees exercised 5,621 and remitted approximately $237 to the

12

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Company while 73,979 options were cancelled during the same period.

     During the nine months ended September 30, 2004, 27,872 stock options were exercised under FME 98 Plan 1 and 17,826 were exercised under FME 98 Plan 2 and employees remitted approximately $1,905 to the Company. During the same period, 65,759 stock options were cancelled under FME 98 Plan 1 and 4,111 were cancelled under FME 98 Plan 2.

     During the first nine months of 2004, 9,470 FME Rollover Plan options were exercised by employees. In connection therewith, Fresenius AG transferred 3,157 Ordinary shares to employees and remitted approximately $104 to the Company. During the same period, no Rollover Plan options were cancelled. These funds have been accounted for as a capital contribution within additional paid-in capital.

     Under all plans as of September 30, 2004, the Management Board held 578,997 options and employees held 4,338,363 options.

     The following tables are reconciliations of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003.

13

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

     The Company currently has two principal pension plans, one for German employees, the other covering employees in the United States. Plan benefits are generally based on years of service and final salary. Consistent with predominant practice in Germany, the Company’s pension obligations in Germany are unfunded. In the United States, National Medical Care, Inc.’s non-contributory, defined benefit pension plan was curtailed in the first quarter of 2002. Each year FMCH contributes at least the minimum required by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. There is no minimum funding requirement for FMCH for the defined benefit pension plan in 2004. FMCH made no contribution in the first nine months of the year and at this time expects to voluntarily contribute $419 during 2004 . The following table provides the calculations of net periodic benefit cost for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003.

14

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Legal Proceedings

Commercial Litigation

     The Company was formed as a result of a series of transactions pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization (the “Merger”) dated as of February 4, 1996 by and between W.R. Grace & Co. and Fresenius AG. At the time of the Merger, a W.R. Grace & Co. subsidiary known as W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn. had, and continues to have, significant potential liabilities arising out of product-liability related litigation, pre-Merger tax claims and other claims unrelated to NMC, which was W.R. Grace & Co.’s dialysis business prior to the Merger. In connection with the Merger, W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn. agreed to indemnify the Company, FMCH, and NMC against all liabilities of W.R. Grace & Co., whether relating to events occurring before or after the Merger, other than liabilities arising from or relating to NMC’s operations. W.R. Grace & Co. and certain of its subsidiaries filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (the “Grace Chapter 11 Proceedings”) on April 2, 2001.

     Pre-Merger tax claims or tax claims that would arise if events were to violate the tax-free nature of the Merger, could ultimately be the Company’s obligation. In particular, W. R. Grace & Co. has disclosed in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that: its tax returns for the 1993 to 1996 tax years are under audit by the Internal Revenue Service (the “Service”); W. R. Grace & Co. has received the Service’s examination report on tax periods 1993 to 1996; that during those years W.R. Grace & Co. deducted approximately $122,100 in interest attributable to corporate owned life insurance (“COLI”) policy loans; that W.R. Grace & Co. has paid $21,200 of tax and interest related to COLI deductions taken in tax years prior to 1993; that a U.S. District Court ruling has denied interest deductions of a taxpayer in a similar situation. In October 2004, W.R. Grace & Co. obtained bankruptcy court approval to settle its COLI claims with the IRS. Subject to certain representations made by W.R. Grace & Co., the Company and Fresenius AG, W.R. Grace & Co. and certain of its affiliates agreed to indemnify the Company against this and other pre-Merger and Merger-related tax liabilities.

     Prior to and after the commencement of the Grace Chapter 11 Proceedings, class action complaints were filed against W.R. Grace & Co. and FMCH by plaintiffs claiming to be creditors of W.R. Grace & Co.- Conn., and by the asbestos creditors’ committees on behalf of the W.R. Grace & Co. bankruptcy estate in the Grace Chapter 11 Proceedings, alleging among other things that the Merger was a fraudulent conveyance, violated the uniform fraudulent transfer act and constituted a conspiracy. All such cases have been stayed and transferred to or are pending before the U.S. District Court as part of the Grace Chapter 11 Proceedings.

     In 2003, the Company reached agreement with the asbestos creditors’ committees on behalf of the W.R. Grace & Co. bankruptcy estate and W.R. Grace & Co. in the matters pending in the Grace Chapter 11 Proceedings for the settlement of all fraudulent conveyance and tax claims against it and other claims related to the Company that arise out of the bankruptcy of W.R. Grace & Co. Under the terms of the settlement agreement as amended (the “Settlement Agreement”), fraudulent conveyance and other claims raised on behalf of asbestos claimants will be dismissed with prejudice and the Company will receive protection against existing and potential future W.R. Grace & Co. related claims, including fraudulent conveyance and asbestos claims, and indemnification against income tax claims related to the non-NMC members of the W.R. Grace & Co. consolidated tax group upon confirmation of a W.R. Grace & Co. bankruptcy reorganization plan that contains such provisions. Under the Settlement Agreement, the Company will pay a total of $115,000 to the W.R. Grace & Co. bankruptcy estate, or as otherwise directed by the Court, upon plan confirmation. No admission of liability has been or will be made. The Settlement

15

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

Agreement has been approved by the U.S. District Court. Subsequent to the Merger, W.R. Grace & Co. was involved in a multi-step transaction involving Sealed Air Corporation (“Sealed Air,” formerly known as Grace Holding, Inc.). The Company is engaged in litigation with Sealed Air to confirm its entitlement to indemnification from Sealed Air for all losses and expenses incurred by the Company relating to pre-Merger tax liabilities and Merger-related claims. Under the Settlement Agreement, upon confirmation of a plan that satisfies the conditions of the Company’s payment obligation, this litigation will be dismissed with prejudice.

     On April 4, 2003, FMCH filed a suit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Fresenius USA, Inc., et al., v. Baxter International Inc., et al., Case No. C 03-1431, seeking a declaratory judgment that FMCH does not infringe on patents held by Baxter International Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Baxter”), that the patents are invalid, and that Baxter is without right or authority to threaten or maintain suit against FMCH for alleged infringement of Baxter’s patents. In general, the alleged patents concern touch screens, conductivity alarms, power failure data storage, and balance chambers for hemodialysis machines. Baxter has filed counterclaims against FMCH seeking monetary damages and injunctive relief, and alleging that FMCH willfully infringed on Baxter’s patents. FMCH believes its claims are meritorious, although the ultimate outcome of any such proceedings cannot be predicted at this time and an adverse result could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.

     In October 2004, FMCH and its Spectra Renal Management subsidiary received subpoenas from the U.S. Department of Justice, Eastern District of New York in connection with a civil and criminal investigation, which requires production of a broad range of documents relating to the Company’s operations, with specific attention to documents relating to laboratory testing for parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and vitamin D therapies. The Company is cooperating with the government’s requests for information. While the Company believes that it has complied with applicable laws relating to PTH testing and use of vitamin D therapies, an adverse determination in this investigation could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.

     From time to time, the Company is a party to or may be threatened with other litigation, claims or assessments arising in the ordinary course of its business. Management regularly analyzes current information including, as applicable, the Company’s defenses and insurance coverage and, as necessary, provides accruals for probable liabilities for the eventual disposition of these matters.

     The Company, like other health care providers, conducts its operations under intense government regulation and scrutiny. It must comply with regulations which relate to or govern the safety and efficacy of medical products and supplies, the operation of manufacturing facilities, laboratories and dialysis clinics, and environmental and occupational health and safety. The Company must also comply with the Anti-Kickback Statute, the False Claims Act, the Stark Statute, and other federal and state fraud and abuse laws. Applicable laws or regulations may be amended, or enforcement agencies or courts may make interpretations that differ from the Company’s or the manner in which it conducts its business. Enforcement has become a high priority for the federal government and some states. In addition, the provisions of the False Claims Act authorizing payment of a portion of any recovery to the party bringing the suit encourage private plaintiffs to commence “whistle blower” actions. By virtue of this regulatory environment, as well as our corporate integrity agreement with the government, the Company expects that its business activities and practices will continue to be subject to extensive review by regulatory authorities and private parties, and expects continuing inquiries, claims and litigation relating to our compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The Company may not always be aware that an inquiry

16

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

or action has begun, particularly in the case of “whistle blower” actions, which are initially filed under court seal.

     The Company operates many facilities throughout the U.S. In such a decentralized system, it is often difficult to maintain the desired level of oversight and control over the thousands of individuals employed by many affiliated companies. The Company relies upon its management structure, regulatory and legal resources, and the effective operation of its compliance program to direct, manage and monitor the activities of these employees. On occasion, the Company may identify instances where employees, deliberately or inadvertently, have submitted inadequate or false billings. The actions of such persons may subject the Company and its subsidiaries to liability under the Anti-Kickback Statute, the Stark Statute and the False Claims Act, among other laws.

     Physicians, hospitals and other participants in the health care industry are also subject to a large number of lawsuits alleging professional negligence, malpractice, product liability, worker’s compensation or related claims, many of which involve large claims and significant defense costs. The Company has been subject to these suits due to the nature of its business and expects that those types of lawsuits may continue. Although the Company maintains insurance at a level which it believes to be prudent, it cannot assure that the coverage limits will be adequate or that insurance will cover all asserted claims. A successful claim against the Company or any of its subsidiaries in excess of insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect upon it and the results of its operations. Any claims, regardless of their merit or eventual outcome, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s reputation and business.

     The Company has also had claims asserted against it and has had lawsuits filed against it relating to businesses that it has acquired or divested. These claims and suits relate both to operation of the businesses and to the acquisition and divestiture transactions. The Company has, when appropriate, asserted its own claims, and claims for indemnification. A successful claim against the Company or any of its subsidiaries could have a material adverse effect upon it and the results of its operations. Any claims, regardless of their merit or eventual outcome, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s reputation and business.

     At December 31, 2001, the Company recorded a pre-tax special charge of $258,159 to reflect anticipated expenses associated with the defense and resolution of pre-Merger tax claims, Merger-related claims, and commercial insurer claims (see Note 2). The costs associated with the Settlement Agreement and settlements with insurers have been charged against this accrual. While the Company believes that its remaining accruals reasonably estimate its currently anticipated costs related to the continued defense and resolution of the remaining matters, no assurances can be given that its actual costs incurred will not exceed the amount of this accrual.

Market Risk

     The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. In order to manage the risk of interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations, the Company enters into various hedging transactions with investment grade financial institutions as authorized by the Company’s Management Board. The Company does not use financial instruments for trading purposes.

17

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

     The Company conducts its financial instrument activity under the control of a single centralized department. The Company established guidelines for risk assessment procedures and controls for the use of financial instruments. They include a clear segregation of duties with regard to execution on one side and administration, accounting and controlling on the other.

Foreign Exchange Risk Management

     The Company conducts business on a global basis in various international currencies, though its operations are mainly in Germany and the United States. For financial reporting purposes, the Company has chosen the U.S. dollar as its reporting currency. Therefore, changes in the rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar, the euro and the local currencies in which the financial statements of the Company’s international operations are maintained, affect its results of operations and financial position as reported in its consolidated financial statements. The Company employs, to a limited extent, forward contracts including options to hedge its currency exposure. The Company’s policy, which has been consistently followed, is that forward contracts including options be used only for the purpose of hedging foreign currency exposure.

     The Company’s exposure to market risk for changes in foreign exchange rates relates to transactions such as sales and purchases, and lending and borrowings, including intercompany borrowings. The Company has significant amounts of sales of products invoiced in euro from its European manufacturing facilities to its other international operations. This exposes the Company’s subsidiaries to fluctuations in the rate of exchange between the euro and the currency in which their local operations are conducted.

     Changes in the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges of forecasted product purchases are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income. These amounts are subsequently reclassified into earnings as a component of cost of revenues, in the same period in which the hedged transaction affects earnings. After tax gains of $1,177 ($1,791 pretax) at September 30, 2004 are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income and will be reclassified into earnings during 2004 to 2006.

     Changes in the fair value of foreign currency forward contracts designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges associated with foreign currency denominated intercompany interest payments are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income. These amounts are subsequently reclassified into earnings as a component of interest income or interest expense in the same period in which the hedged transactions affect earnings. After tax gains of $947 ($1,097 pretax) at September 30, 2004, were deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income and will be reclassified into earnings during 2004 and 2005.

     The Company’s foreign exchange contracts contain credit risk in that its bank counterparties may be unable to meet the terms of the agreements. The potential risk of loss with any one party resulting from this type of credit risk is monitored. Management does not expect any material losses as a result of default by other parties.

Interest Rate Risk Management

     The Company enters into derivatives, particularly interest rate swaps, to (a) protect interest rate exposures arising from long-term and short-term borrowings and accounts receivable securitization programs at floating rates by effectively swapping them into fixed rates and (b) hedge the fair value of its fixed interest rate borrowing. Under interest rate swaps, the Company agrees with other parties to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed-rate and floating-rate interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed notional amount.

18

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

     The Company enters into interest rate swap agreements that are designated as cash flow hedges effectively converting certain variable interest rate payments denominated in U.S. dollars into fixed interest rate payments. After taxes losses of $30,823 ($51,306 pretax) at September 30, 2004, were deferred in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The Company enters into interest rate swap agreements that are designated as fair value hedges effectively converting certain fixed interest payments denominated in U.S. dollars into variable interest rate payments. There is no material impact on earnings due to hedge ineffectiveness.

     The Company enters into interest rate swap agreements that are designated as cash flow hedges effectively converting certain variable interest rate payments denominated in Yen into fixed interest rate payments. After taxes losses of $187 ($324 pretax) at September 30, 2004, were deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income. There is no material impact on earnings due to hedge ineffectiveness.

     The Company is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to financial instruments but does not expect any counterparties to fail to meet their obligations. The current credit exposure of derivatives is represented by the fair value of contracts with a positive fair value at the reporting date.

     The Company has identified three business segments, North America, International, and Asia Pacific, which were determined based upon how the Company manages its businesses. All segments are primarily engaged in providing dialysis services and manufacturing and distributing products and equipment for the treatment of end-stage renal disease. Additionally, the North America segment engages in performing clinical laboratory testing. The Company has aggregated the International and Asia Pacific operating segments as “International.” The segments are aggregated due to their similar economic characteristics. These characteristics include the same products sold, the same type patient population, similar methods of distribution of products and services and similar economic environments.

     Management evaluates each segment using a measure that reflects all of the segment’s controllable revenues and expenses. Management believes that the most appropriate measure in this regard is operating income. In addition to operating income, management believes that earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) is helpful for investors as a measurement of the segment’s and the Company’s ability to generate cash and to service its financing obligations. EBITDA is also the basis for determining compliance with certain covenants contained in the Company’s 2003 Senior Credit Agreement, Euro Notes and indentures relating to the Company’s trust preferred securities. The information in the table below reconciles EBITDA for each of our reporting segments to operating income, which the Company considers to be the most directly comparable financial measure, calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

     EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to net earnings determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles or to cash flow from operations, investing activities or financing activities or as a measure of cash flows.

     Information pertaining to the Company’s business segments for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 is set forth below:

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FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)

20

FRESENIUS MEDICAL CARE AG
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)