Insights
Paula Sanders and Laura Weeden Examine the Procedures for Electronic PEPPER Reports Filed by Skilled Nursing Facilities
Health Care Practice Group Chair Paula G. Sanders, and Associate Laura M. Weeden look at the procedures and best practices for filing 2014 Program for Evaluating Payment Patterns Electronic Reports (PEPPERs). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and its contractor, TMF Health Quality Institute (TMF), have announced that the 2014 PEPPER reports for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) will be available electronically between May 5, 2014 and May 12, 2014. The article appeared in the May issue of the PADONA Journal.
In discussing PEPPER reports and electronic filing, Ms. Sanders and Ms. Weeden note that:
"Remember that even though the PEPPER report does not identify overpayments, it does provide valuable insight into your own data as well as government audit targets. Ignoring, or forgetting to review such information could be detrimental. Because the electronic distribution of the PEPPER reports will require SNFs to take affirmative steps to log into the online portal to access the PEPPER report, you should mark your calendars in preparation for the May 2014 distribution."
