HFS News & Information

Sequestration is effective for Services rendered on or after 4/1/2013. It will be prorated for FYE overlapping 4/1/2013 (e.g. a 6/30/2013 FYE has 91 days of Sequestration, so 91/365, times 2%, will be the reduction percentage, or about .50%). Bad Debt changes are effective for FY Begin 10/1/2012 and after, so a 7/1/2012 to 6/30/2013 FY is not affected.

We are awaiting the Hospital (2552-10) Transmittal #4 from CMS, which is to have the Sequestration and Bad Debt Changes (as well as other changes for the ACA). CMS has not released a draft of T-4 as of 7/25/2013. This will be our Version 4.x.x.x.

We received Transmittal #5 for the 2540-10 (SNF), which incorporated the Sequestration and Bad Debt changes. We have submitted a test case and are awaiting CMS approval of our system. This will be our Version 5.x.x.x.

We received Transmittal #2 for the 265-11 (ESRD), which incorporated the Sequestration and Bad Debt changes. We have submitted a test case and are awaiting CMS approval of our system. This will be our Version 2.x.x.x.

We received Transmittal #16 for the 1728-94 (HHA), which incorporated the Sequestration and Bad Debt changes. We have submitted a test case and are awaiting CMS approval of our system. This will be our Version 16.x.x.x.

We received Transmittal #11 for the 222-92 (RHC/FQHC), which incorporated the Sequestration and Bad Debt changes. We have submitted a test case and are awaiting CMS approval of our system. This will be our Version 11.x.x.x.

We received Transmittal #8/9 for the 2088-92 (CMHC), which incorporated the Sequestration and Bad Debt changes. We have submitted a test case and are awaiting CMS approval of our system. This will be our Version 9.x.x.x.

The 216-94, OPO system, is the only approved system “on the street” with the Sequestration changes incorporated (Bad Debt is N/A). This is our Version 5.4.145.0.

CMS released a Draft of the new Hospice, 1984-14 forms and instructions for industry comments 5/29/2013. This is to be effective for FY Begin 1/1/2014 and after. Once comments are addressed and CMS issues the Final, we will know more about what changes are to be made.

CMS approved our new ESRD 265-11 Medicare cost report software on January 30, 2011. We will release the full version of the software on February 3, 2012. You can download the full version of the software from the download page on our website. You can use the new software to prepare and electronically file your cost report(s). Any cost report file(s) you created with the beta version will work with the new full version of the 265-11 software.

Please note the new file extension for the 265-11 cost report data files is .mcrx. You will be able to open both 265-94 and 264-11 cost report using the yellow icon HFS software. Both the 265-11 and 265-94 systems are installed in the same folder and both start with the same yellow HFS icon-shortcut.

The use template option is not yet operational. We will get the template feature up and running as soon as possible, but currently you will only be able to open a blank, new 265-11 cost report.

Effective Dates (January 1, 2011 and after)
Form CMS-265-11 must be completed by all independent end stage renal dialysis (ESRD) facilities that are not hospital-based for cost reporting periods ending on or after January 1, 2011.

Extended Filing Deadlines for 265-11 Cost Reports
CMS recently extended the filing deadline for ESRD 265-11 cost reports. The following table contains the new cost report due dates.

CMS announced that short period and terminating hospitals qualifying for the HIT payment will be granted extensions on a case by case basis for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2010 and subsequent and file on the 2552-10.

Short period and terminating hospitals not qualifying for the HIT payment will file and settle on the 2552-96 with no extensions granted for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2010 and on or before April 30, 2011.

by Chuck Briggs

On July 27, 2011 HFS received a memorandum from CMS regarding filing deadlines for SNFs. The following is a summary of the details we received.

The 2540-10 is effective for cost reporting periods beginning on or after 12/01/2010. For any short period cost reports beginning on or after 12/01/2010 and ending 11/30/2011, providers will continue to file on the form CMS-2540-96. No extensions are proposed at this time.

by Chuck Briggs

On July 27, 2011 HFS received written confirmation from CMS that the deadlines to file on the new 2552-10 form set will be extended. The following is a summary of the details we received.

CMS issued a 30-day extension for 4/30/2011 FYE providers (Joint Signature Memo/Technical Direction Letter – 11204, 03-03-11).

All providers with full 12 months or greater cost reporting periods which begin on or after May 1, 2010 (and end on or after April 30, 2011) must file on the 2552-10 form set, subject to the following extension schedule. (We published this same schedule in our previous 2552-10 news post, and publish it again for your convenience. There were no changes.)

2552-10 Extended Cost Report Filing Dates

Short period cost reports:
– Providers with cost report periods beginning on or after May 1, 2010, but ending prior to April 30, 2011, must file and settle on 2552-96. These cost reports are due the latter of 30 days from the date of the forthcoming TDL or 5 months following the close of the cost reporting period. This includes hospitals with hospital based end stage renal disease (ESRD) facilities and/or departments.
– Hospital based ESRDs are subject to the same extension schedule as indicated above. Hospital based ESRDs should submit their cost reports using the current 2552-10, with the existing Worksheet I series. The Hospital based ESRDs claiming bad debts may not be settled until a revised 2552-10 Worksheet I series is published incorporating the new bad debt calculation.

by Chuck Briggs

The new 2540-10 form set is effective for cost reporting periods beginning on or after 12/1/2010. For any short cost reporting period beginning on or after 12/1/2010 and ending prior to 11/30/2011, providers will continue to file on the form CMS 2540-96. No extension is proposed at this time.

on Transmittal 2 and advised us there will be a Transmittal 3 sometime later this year. Transmittal 3 will implement applicable provisions of ACA section 6104. (Published in Federal Register, March 11, 2011, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-03-11/html/2011-5684.htm .)

The table below shows CMS proposed timeline for the Transmittal 3 changes.

by Chuck Briggs

“CMS now has a website to better service providers using IACS to access PS&R. CMS wants providers to visit the new website instead of immediately contacting the IACS help desk regarding PS&R registration or access issues. The website is located at : www.eushelpdesk.com“