Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement

Transition period still possible for providers.

Organ procurement organizations and rural health clinics must now submit electronic cost reports for periods ending on or after March 31, 2005, instead of Dec. 31, 2004, according to a recent ruling from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

CMS also applied the new cost reporting period end-date to federally qualified health centers and community mental-health centers, according to an interim final rule in the May 27 Federal Register.

The cost reporting period extension doesn't apply to end-stage renal disease facilities and hospices, however. All hospices and ESRD facilities should continue to submit their electronic Medicare cost reports for periods ending on or after Dec. 31, 2004.

Because of availability delays in CMS' free cost reporting software and commercial software, CMS extended the reporting period end-date.

CMS will still give providers a transition period, starting with the new effective date. Providers must still submit a settlement summary hard copy, certain worksheet totals' statement, and a statement signed by the administrator or chief financial officer that certifies the accuracy of the electronic file.

Note: CMS will accept comments on this final interim rule until July 26, 2005.