HFS News & Information

CMS published the Proposed Rule Public Use File (PUF) for the FY 2021 wage index and occupational mix on 4/30/2020. This file reflects the Worksheet S-3, Parts II and III wage data from cost reports for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 (FY Beginning from 10/1/16 to 9/30/2017). As noted in the wage index development timetable hospitals have the right to request corrections to their wage index data files if they can establish that the A/B MACS or CMS made a data entry or transmission error in the final FY 2021 wage index data files. A hospital requesting a correction must submit its request, by hard copy and email, along with complete, appropriate detailed documentation, to both its A/B MACS and CMS, no later than May 29, 2020.

The following file has been created and can be downloaded and used with the Wage Index Verification Tool for the Federal Fiscal Year 2021, Preliminary PUF:

FY_2021_April_30_2020_S3_Data_PUF.csv

The Hospital Complex, 2552-10 was updated to Transmittal 16 by CMS, on April 30, 2020. Transmittal 16 is effective for cost reporting periods ending on or after December 31, 2019.

The primary purpose of Transmittal 16 was to incorporate cost reporting changes for the Pennsylvania Rural Health Model (PARHM) demonstration.  Other major changes include:

• Modification of Worksheet E-4 to accommodate DGME reimbursement for CAHs that train residents in excluded IPF or IRF units.
• Modification to the calculation of the percentage reduction of the MA direct GME payments for the calculation of the MA nursing and allied health (NAHE) payment adjustments.  The reductions will be changed on an annual basis using the below factors, previously the reduction factor was 14.13%

As this Transmittal is effective for cost reporting periods ending on or after December 31, 2019, it does not incorporate any changes relating to COVID-19 pandemic cost reporting changes.

CMS has not yet started the test/approval process, however, HFS expects T16 software to be approved and available for use in June.  Preparation can continue on the current T15 software and will be compatible with the T16 update when made.  CMS is encouraging providers to wait for T16 software availability to submit their MCR’s. The published T-16 transmittal can be found on CMS’ website at the link below:

https://www.cms.gov/regulations-and-guidanceguidancetransmittals2020-transmittals/r16p240

CMS published a proposed Public Use File (PUF) for the FY 2021 wage Index January 31, 2020. This file reflects the Worksheet S-3, Parts II and III wage data from cost reports for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 (FY Beginning from 10/1/16 to 9/30/2017).  Per the CMS notice “All requests from hospitals for corrections to their FY 2021 wage index data must be submitted to and received by their Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) on or before February 14, 2020.“

The following file has been created and can be downloaded and used with the Wage Index Verification Tool for the Federal Fiscal Year 2021, Proposed PUF:

FY_2021_January_31_2020_S3_Data_PUF.csv

CMS published new documentation requirements for filing Medicare Cost Report in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) Final Rule.  These new requirements are effective for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2018 and additional information can be found in SE 19015 . While CMS initially addressed standardized formats for the submission of the new documentation the following was communicated in the SE 19015.

“As noted in the Final Rule, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) agrees that requiring this information to be submitted in standardized formats would ensure consistency of the documentation and facilitate the contractor’s review. CMS plans to include standard formats (templates) in a Paperwork Reduction Act notice to request public comment. Therefore, standardized formats will not be required for cost-report periods beginning on or after October 1, 2018, until further notice. [emphasis added]”

HFS will continue to monitor the implementation of the new documentation requirements and will notify clients of any additional information.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a notice in the Federal Register dated September 12, 2019  regarding a proposed revision to the Home Office Cost Statement (proposed Form CMS-287-19).   Links to the Federal Register notice and PRA posting are below and comments must be received by November 12, 2019.  Instructions for providing comments are included in the Federal Register notice and the proposed effective date of the Form CMS-287-19 is effective for the first cost statement period beginning on or after October 1, 2019. Health Financial Systems will be following the progress of the new form set and will develop the 287-19 upon finalization.

Federal Register Notice

Published PRA Form CMS-287-19

CMS published a preliminary Public Use File (PUF) for the FY 2021 wage Index May 17, 2019. This file reflects the Worksheet S-3, Parts II and III wage data from cost reports for Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 (FY Beginning from 10/1/16 to 9/30/2017).

The following file has been created and can be downloaded and used with the Wage Index Verification Tool for the Federal Fiscal Year 2021, Preliminary PUF:

FY_2021_Prelim_S3 wage tab_05172019.csv

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final FY 2020 wage index data public use files (PUFs) on APRIL 30, 2019.  The files are available for the limited purpose of identifying any potential data entry or transmission errors made by CMS or the A/B Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs), NOT for the initiation of new revision requests.   Hospitals should promptly review their final wage index data files and compare that to the data in the April 30, 2019 PUF to ensure that their Worksheet S-3 wage are accurate.  All requests from hospitals for corrections to their FY 2020 wage index data files must be submitted to and received (i.e., not postmarked) by both the A/B MACs and CMS on or before May 30, 2019.

The following file has been created and can be downloaded and used with the HFS Wage Index Verification Tool (located under Tools) for the Federal Fiscal Year 2020, April 30, 2019 PUF:

FY_2020_April 30 2019_S3_Data_PUF.csv

CMS published an updated Public Use File (PUF) for the FY 2020 wage index and occupational mix on 1/31/2019. This file reflects the Worksheet S-3, Parts II and III wage data from cost reports for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 (FY Beginning from 10/1/15 to 9/30/2016). This data has been desk reviewed and verified by the MACs before being published.

The following file has been created and can be downloaded and used with the HFS Wage Index Verification Tool (located under Tools) for the Federal Fiscal Year 2020, January 31, 2017 PUF:

FY_2020_January_31_2019_S3_Data_PUF.csv

CMS published a preliminary Public Use File (PUF) for the FY 2020 wage Index June 5, 2018. This file reflects the Worksheet S-3, Parts II and III wage data from cost reports for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 (FY Beginning from 10/1/15 to 9/30/2016).

The following file has been created and can be downloaded and used with the Wage Index Verification Tool for the Federal Fiscal Year 2020, Preliminary PUF:

FY_2020_Prelim_S3 wage tab_06042018.csv

CMS published the Proposed Rule Public Use File (PUF) for the FY 2019 wage index and occupational mix on 4/27/2017. This file reflects the Worksheet S-3, Parts II and III wage data from cost reports for Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 (FY Beginning from 10/1/14 to 9/30/2015). As noted in the wage index development timetable hospitals have the right to request corrections to their wage index data files if they can establish that the A/B MACS or CMS made a data entry or transmission error in the final FY 2019 wage index data files. A hospital requesting a correction must submit its request, by hard copy and email, along with complete, appropriate detailed documentation, to both its A/B MACS and CMS, no later than May 30, 2018.

The following file has been created and can be downloaded and used with the Wage Index Verification Tool for the Federal Fiscal Year 2019, Preliminary PUF:

FY_2019_April_27_2018_S3_Data_PUF.csv