SUBJECT:   Production Dates for the Provider Statistical and Reimbursement (PS&R) Report and

Extension of Due Date for Filing Provider Cost Reports.

The purpose of this Program Memorandum (PM) is to inform all fiscal intermediaries (FIs) and providers

of the release timelines for the Provider Statistical and Reimbursement (PS&R) report program, and the due

dates for provider cost reports.

Provider Statistical and Reimbursement Program

On October 3, 2001, CMS will be forwarding to the FIs version 27.0 of the PS&R program. Version 27.0 will

include changes to the PS&R program that were a result of the introduction of the Home Health Prospective

Payment System (HHPPS) and the Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS). The FIs that are using the

Fiscal Intermediary Standard System (FISS) will install version 27.0 and are expected to begin processing

claims data through the PS&R system no later than December 3, 2001. The installation process will include

downloading, and testing the PS&R program as well as updating all JCL and peripheral programs.

FIs that are using the Arkansas Part A Standard System (APASS) will be allowed an additional 30-day grace

period, because the APASS maintainer is in the process of updating the claims processing program. What this

means is that the cost report due dates for APASS user FIs and providers will be 30 days later than those using

the FISS maintainer system.

Provider Cost Reports

All hospitals (Form CMS-2552-96), skilled nursing facilities (Form CMS-2540-96) with a provider based home

health agency, home health agencies (Form CMS-1728-94), and community mental health centers (Form

CMS-2088-92) are required to adhere to the cost report due dates recorded in the chart below. The chart also

includes information pertaining to the FIs' responsibility to produce PS&R reports and the dates the reports

are to be forwarded to the providers. The cost report due dates are based on allowing the providers 30 days

to complete the cost report plus an allowance of seven days for the postal service to deliver the PS&R.

*The due dates for cost reports of free standing home health agencies are not affected during this time period,

and are required to be filed within five months of their fiscal year end date.

** APASS FIs and providers are allowed an additional 30 days from these dates to mail the PS&R's and to

submit cost reports.

FIs that are also functioning as regional home health intermediaries (RHHIs) will need to transmit electronically

to the audit intermediaries (AI's) all PS&R related information at least five business days before the dates

identified in the column labeled "PS&R Mailed to Provider by Dates".

This PM does not preclude a provider from filing cost reports timely, and basing the filing of the cost report on the

provider's own records and claims data. Intermediaries should exercise caution when issuing tentative

settlements in the absence of the PS&R.

SNF Cost Reports

Due to delays in the approval of electronic vendors for the skilled nursing facility (SNF) cost reports the following

extensions will be granted:

·     SNFs with only a provider-based hospice will continue to file the free standing Form CMS-1984-99

through filing date December 31, 2001.

·     Free-Standing SNFs with fiscal years ending between February 28, 2001 and July 31, 2001 are extended and

due December 31, 2001.

The effective date for this PM is October 3, 2001.

The implementation date for this PM is December 3, 2001.

The instructions contained in this PM should be implemented within your current operating budget.

This PM may be discarded after October 31, 2002.

If you have any administrative questions, contact David Goldberg (410-786-4512), Tom Talbott

(410-786-4592) or Edward Tregoe (410-786-6827).

If you have any technical questions, contact Michael O'Leary (410-786-6432).