There are two major changes this year with regards to filing your Medicare cost report.
Some provider types – such as SNF, Hospice and HHA now have a checkbox on the worksheet S that certifies that you agree to an electronic signature. This means that you can sign the signature page with a pen and fax or scan it or sign it on your computer. The result is that when you submit to the MAC even via mail, you can place the signature page on the CD drive if you’d like. If you check the checkbox, you also have the option to type the name of the person signing.
With this allowance of signing the worksheet S with a fax or scanned copy, you can now upload all files including the signature page to the new CMS MCReF portal.
MCReF (which stands for Medicare Cost Report electronic Filing) is the new CMS portal that will allow providers to submit their cost reports online. Currently some of the MACs have their own portals. Starting January 2nd, 2019, the MCReF portal will be the only system allowed to be used for online submission of Medicare Cost Reports.
All this being said, providers still have the option of doing things the ‘old fashioned’ way. You can still sign the worksheet S with blue ink and mail the original along with your CD to your MAC for filing.
Below are some helpful links to the CMS webcast, slides, and MLN matters article pertaining to e-Filing.
Video Presentation of May 1, 2018 CMS Webcast on e-Filing
Audio Recording of Oct 15 2018 CMS Webcast on e-Filing
Slides of the Oct 15 2018 CMS e-Filing Webcast
MLN Matters Article MM10611 on e-Filing
Happy cost reporting!
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.
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