Full Medicare cost reports must be prepared on CMS-Approved software which produces electronic files in a specified format.  The electronic files are what actually get sent to the MAC (fiscal intermediary) for processing.  Therefore, while you may view them online or even download them, just finding a copy of the forms and filling them in manually will do you no good.

The end result is that the software, which requires extensive programming in order to properly produce the electronic files, needs to be purchased from an approved software vendor, of which there are only a handful.  Progressive Provider Service’s Med-Calc Excel-based software is proud to be part of that elite group!

Low Utilization and No Utilization cost reports, on the other hand, do not require purchasing software, since they do not need to be filed electronically.  However, PPS has discovered that many of our clients prefer to pay a small fee for the software in exchange for the ease-of-use which it provides in filling in and filing the forms.  Our famous automation (e.g., one-button PS&R import and trial balance download) and standardized error-checking are part of the software, reducing both time and errors.  In fact, we have just added, due to popular request, a line of No Utilization cost report forms for purchase on our website.

For more information on ECR files, see our blog on Electronic Filing of cost reports.

Disclaimer:  This blog does not contain legal advice. What it does contain are our best
explanations, advice, and suggestions to help facilities and cost report preparers to understand the cost report forms and offer suggestions for their preparation. Progressive Provider Services assumes no legal responsibility for the content of this blog, nor for cost reports prepared based on the content herein.