Posted by: rvaks on: September 24, 2010
The flu vaccine payment allowance has been updated for the current year. The final reimbursement for the vaccine is settled on the Medicare cost report. More information can be found here.
Posted by: rvaks on: September 22, 2010
Fall has definitely arrived! The weather is getting cooler and leaves are changing colors. The kids are back in school and are busy learning. We here at Progressive Provider Services have also been busy with our ‘Back to School’ Fall Medicare Cost Report Seminars.
Solomon Melamed hosted Understanding the Medicare Cost Report for Hospitals. This well attended seminar gave the participants an in-depth analysis of all the detailed components necessary to complete a Cost Report for a hospital.
Blimi Schwartz hosted Medicare Cost Reporting 101 for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF). This webinar clarified and clearly explained the Cost Report and participants left this informative webinar with a confidence of the various aspects of the Cost Report.
Rachel Vaks was the host for Understanding the Medicare Cost Report for Home Health Agencies (HHA). Participants were given a background to Medicare and an overview of the Cost Report process. Then, participants were walked through the actual Cost Report together with the PS&R and given a clear understanding of the many components of the Cost Report.
Cost Report season is approaching quickly and make sure that you’re prepared! Contact Blimi Schwartz at blimi@ppsassistant.com for more information regarding upcoming Cost Report Seminars.
We are also avaiable to take the Cost Report off of your hands and complete it so that you could focus on the more important aspects of your business. Please contact Blimi for more information.
Posted by: rvaks on: September 20, 2010
Having just completed another round of Medicare Cost Report Training Seminars, we are pleased to share just a few of the responses we have received from participants:
“Very thorough presentation”
“Very informative”
“I would strongly recommend this webinar to others”
It is not too late to register for the next round of Spring Cost Report Training Seminars. For more information or to register, please click here or call our Michigan branch office at 248-968-4100.
Posted by: bschwartz on: September 19, 2010
Progressive Provider Services and Med-Calc Software have received the “Green Light Award” from Edward Koscic and Associates, LLC. Edward Koscic and Associates is a software and systems consultant company for the health-care industry.
“Green Light” vendors have been carefully researched by Edward Koscic and Associates, and their products and/or services have continually proven to be first rate.
Click here to see Progressive Provider Services and Med-Calc software listed on Ed Koscik’s recommended “green light” list.
Posted by: rvaks on: September 18, 2010
Due to popular demand, we are pleased to offer a Medicare Cost Report Webinar for Hospitals. Hosted by Solomon Melamed, this webinar will go through highlights of a Hospital Cost Report and will include:
Posted by: rvaks on: September 16, 2010
Medicare bad debt for uncollectable copays and deductibles can be claimed for reimbursement on the Medicare cost report. Our experience shows that fiscal intermediaries are now auditing the submitted Medicare bad debt based upon these criteria, and cost report preparers should therefore ensurethat the Medicare bad debt meet the criteria. The following is summarized from Riverbend’s Flash 05-04, distributed in March 2005. It is recommended to read the full text.
a) The amount of bad debt should be claimed in the period that it is written of the provider’s books.
b) A bill must first be deemed uncollectible and only after reasonable collection efforts, and would therefore be premature to write off unless collection efforts have been pursued at least 120 days (since the first bill).
c) While a bill is being pursued still through a collection agency, it is premature to write it off.
d) Reasonable collection efforts may be waived for indigent patients.
e) To the extent that Medicaid is the responsible party for the copay, even where you know that Medicaid will not pay, you must demonstrate that you billed Medicaid, and Medicaid refused to pay.
f) No Medicare bad debt may be claimed for Part B therapies.
Posted by: rvaks on: September 14, 2010
To claim capital DSH, a hospital must be urban and have 100 beds. The bonus calculation is made on the hospital Medicare cost report.
For more information, please see this Department of Health and Human Services report.
Posted by: rvaks on: September 12, 2010
CCH reports that the CMS has released a memo instructing Medicare contractors to disallow Medicare bad debt claimed while the provider’s collection agency continues to pursue collection. (CCH Medicare and Medicaid Guide, July 15, 2008)
Medicare bad debt is claimed on the Medicare cost report.
Posted by: bschwartz on: September 10, 2010
The CMS Adminstrator has upheld that there is no Medicare bad debt reimbursement to be paid for items paid under a fee schedule, e.g. Part B therapy. (CCH in their July 1, 2008 Medicare and Medicaid Guide). Medicare bad debt is claimed on the Medicare cost report.
Posted by: rvaks on: September 8, 2010
CCH Medicare and Medicaid Guide, in their January 22nd issue, relates that the CMS Administrator determined that you can only reopen an amended NPR (audited Medicare cost report) for issues addressed in the amended NPR.
