Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) Help Reference¶

The LTCH PPS is used to reimburse long-term care hospitals for extended inpatient stays.

[!NOTE] This content is sourced from the official CMS Web Pricer.

Actual geographic MSA¶

Actual Geographic Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), indicates where a provider is located. The Actual Geographic MSA is entered as a 4-digit value, that ranges from 0040-9965. In a rural area, the Actual Geographic MSA is entered as '00' followed by the 2-digit numeric state code. For example, Ohio with state code 36 would be entered as '0036'.

Add-on visit amount¶

The add-on amount to be applied to the earliest line item date with the corresponding revenue code.

Adjusted federal rate¶

Section 123 of Public Law 106-113(BBRA), as amended by §307 of Public Law 106- 554(BIPA), authorizes the establishment of Federal payment rates under PPS for LTCHs.The CMS has established a transition to full payments under the LTCH PPS: a 5-year phase-in during which a decreasing percentage of payments will based upon what payments would have been under the reasonable cost based system. LTCHs may also elect to receive payment based on 100 percent of the "Federal payment rate." New LTCHs are to be paid based fully on 100 percent of the Federal rate

Admit date¶

This field requires the date the patient was admitted to the facility (the ADMIT date in FL 12 of the UB 04).

AIDS Add-on Indicator¶

Flag indicating if an AIDS adjustment is applicable.

Bed size¶

The facility bed size is equal to the number of adult hospital beds and pediatric beds available to inpatient lodging. This field must be greater than zero.

Beneficiary CBSA¶

Enter the Core-Based Statistical Area code representing the beneficiary’s site of service, if services were provided in the home. This is the value code 61 amount from the claim.A residence can be an inpatient facility if an individual uses that facility as a place of residence. It is the level of care that is required and not the location where services are provided that determines payment. In other words, if an individual resides in a freestanding facility and requires routine home care, then claims are submitted for routine home care.

Budget neutrality rate¶

The BBRA requires that total payments under the PPS must equal the amount that would have been paid if the PPS had not been implemented.A reduction factor to all Medicare payments during the transition to account for the monetary effect of the 5-year transition from the present cost-based payment system and the LTCH PPS, and the policy to permit LTCHs to elect payment solely under the PPS rather than based on the blend during the transition. (See §150.10.1.)If a LTCH is paid under the transition blend methodology, the budget neutrality offset will be applied to both the TEFRA Rate Percentage and the Federal Rate percentage. The budget neutrality offset equals 1 minus the ratio of the estimated TEFRA reasonable cost-based payments that would have been made had the LTCH PPS not been implemented to the projected total Medicare program payments that would be made under the transition methodology and the option to elect payment based on the 100 percent of the Federal rate.The per discharge Federal rates under the PPS are based on average LTCH costs in a base year updated for inflation to the first effective period of the system.Fiscal year changes to the LTCH PPS system occur annually in October. Specific instructions will be published shortly after the publication of the LTCH Final Rule each year. In addition, other changes to the inpatient prospective payment system may occur in January, April or July as necessary.

Capital cost-to-charge ratio¶

The capital cost-to-charge ratio is derived from the latest cost report and corresponding charge data from the billing file.For hospitals for which the MAC is unable to compute a reasonable cost-to-charge ratio, it uses the appropriate statewide average cost-to-charge ratio calculated annually by CMS and published in the Federal Register. A provider may submit evidence to justify a capital cost-to-charge ratio that lies outside a 3 standard deviation band. The MAC uses the hospital's ratio rather than the statewide average if it agrees the hospital's rate is justified.

Capital exception payment¶

Exception payments are provided for hospitals with inordinately high levels of capital obligations. The capital exception payment rate is the per discharge exception payment to which a hospital is entitled.

Capital hospital-specific rate¶

The hospital-specific capital rate is the hospital's allowable adjusted base year inpatient capital costs per discharge. This must be present unless a "Y" is entered in the Capital Indirect Medical Education Ratio field; or a "08" is entered in the Provider type field; or a termination date is present in Termination Date field. This field is not used as of October 1, 2002.

Capital indirect medical¶

An adjustment is provided to the Federal rate for indirect costs of medical education of interns and residents. The capital indirect medical education ratio field is the ratio of interns and residents to the hospital's average daily census. It is calculated by dividing the hospital's full-time equivalent total of residents during the fiscal year by the hospital's total inpatient days. This field is relevant for IPPS hospitals and IRFs.

Capital new harmless ratio¶

The new capital hold harmless ratio is the ratio of the hospital's allowable inpatient costs for new capital to the hospital's total allowable inpatient capital costs. This field is updated annually.

Capital old harmless rate¶

The old capital hold harmless rate shows the hospital's allowable inpatient "old" capital costs per discharge incurred for assets acquired before December 31, 1990, for capital PPS.

Capital PPS pay code¶

The capital PPS payment code indicates the type of capital payment methodology for hospitals. "A" indicates hold harmless, cost payment for old capital. "B" indicates hold harmless, 100% federal rate. "C" indicates fully prospective blended rate.

Case-mix-index¶

A hospital's case-mix-index (CMI) represents the average diagnosis-related group (DRG) relative weight for that hospital. It is calculated by summing the DRG weights for all Medicare discharges and dividing by the number of discharges. CMIs are calculated using both transfer-adjusted cases and unadjusted cases.

Change code for reclass¶

When this field is active, "Y" indicates that the provider's wage index location has been reclassified for the year. "N" indicates that the provider has not been reclassified for the year.

Core-based statistical area (CBSA)¶

A Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) is a geographic area defined by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The CBSA designation is used to adjust for geographic differences in wages.The term refers collectively to metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, which consist of one or more counties (or equivalents) anchored by an urban center of at least 10,000 people plus adjacent counties that are tied to the urban center.

Core-based statistical area / Geographic CBSA¶

A Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) is a labor market area definition adopted by CMS based on the delineations defined by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). A hospital's geographic CBSA is based on its geographic location, irrespective of any reclassification.

Cost¶

The dollar amount determined by the Pricer to be the payment for the visits in each discipline if the claim is paid as a Low Utilization Payment Adjustment (LUPA).

Cost of living adjustment¶

For LTCHs in Alaska and Hawaii, the nonlabor portion is adjusted by a cost of living adjustment (COLA) and added to the labor-related portion.

Cost of living adjustment provider directory¶

For LTCHs in Alaska and Hawaii, the nonlabor portion is adjusted by a cost of living adjustment (COLA) and added to the labor-related portion.

Cost-to-charge ratio¶

The cost-to-charge ratio is derived from the latest settled facility cost report and corresponding charge data from the billing file. It is calculated by dividing the Medicare operating costs by Medicare covered charges.Medicare operating costs can be obtained from the Medicare cost report form CMS-2552-96, Supplemental Worksheet D-1, Part II, Line 53. Medicare covered charges can be obtained from the MAC billing file, i.e., PS&R record. For hospitals for which the MAC is unable to compute a reasonable cost-to-charge ratio, they use the appropriate urban or rural statewide average cost-to-charge ratio calculated annually by CMS and published in the Federal Register. These average ratios are used to calculate cost outlier payments for those hospitals where computed cost-to-charge ratios are not within the limits published in the Federal Register. For IRF and LTCH PPS, a combined operating and capital cost-to-charge ratio is entered here.

County code¶

Enter the County Code. Must be 5 numbers.

Covered charges¶

This field requires the covered charges from the claim. “Covered charges” means the benefits that Medicare will reimburse on this claim.

Covered days¶

This field requires the number of covered days from the claim. “Covered days” means the number of days of inpatient stay in this facility that Medicare will reimburse on this claim.

Current census division¶

The current census division indicates the census division to which the facility belongs for payment purposes. The 9 census regions can be viewed at the U.S. Census Bureau website, here: https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-maps/2010/geo/2010-census-regions-and-divisions-of-the-united-states.html

Device cost-to-charge ratio¶

Derived from the latest available cost report data. Does not apply to ESRD Facilities.

Diagnosis code¶

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code set used to report the beneficiary's principal diagnosis or and other diagnoses during the stay.For example, A49.02 can be entered as A4902 without decimals.

Diagnosis related group (DRG) code¶

Enter the Medicare Severity-Diagnosis Related Group (MS-DRG) for the claim. The MS-DRG is determined by the Grouper software or may be on the UB-04 claim form in FL 71.

Discharge date¶

This field requires the date the patient was discharged from the facility (the THROUGH date in FL 6 of the UB 04).

Discharge payment percentage (DPP) adjustments¶

Select YES if the LTCH discharge is subject to the discharge payment percentage (DPP) payment adjustment for failure to maintain the required discharge payment percentage.If an LTCH's discharge payment percentage (which is the ratio of discharges paid at the LTCH PPS standard Federal payment rate to the total discharges) for a cost reporting period is not at least 50 percent, this a payment adjustment policy is applied to discharges in the LTCH’s succeeding cost reporting periods after Medicare calculates the percentage and notifies the LTCH. This applies for cost reporting periods beginning on or after 10/01/2019.The application of the payment adjustment ends when the requirements for reinstatement are met (e.g., cost reporting periods after the calculated discharge payment percentage for a cost reporting period is at least 50 percent).For more information see https://www.cms.gov/files/document/r4529cp.pdf

Discharge payment percentage (DPP) amount¶

The difference of the Discharge Payment Percentage and the final payment before applying Discharge Payment Percentage with CARES Act exception.

Dollar rate¶

The dollar rates used by the Web Pricer to calculate the payment for the visits in each discipline if the claim is paid as a Low Utilization Payment Adjustment (LUPA).

DRG adjusted federal rate percentage¶

The product of the adjusted federal rate (federal rate adjusted by wage adjusted labor share and COLA non labor share) and the Diagnosis related group (DRG) weight.

Effective date¶

The effective date is the date of the provider's first PPS period, or, for subsequent PPS periods, the effective date of a change to the provider specific file. Whenever the status of any element of the file changes, the Fiscal Intermediary (FI) prepares an additional record showing the effective date. For example, when a hospital's FY beginning date changes as a result of a change in ownership or other "good cause," the FI makes an additional record showing the effective date of the change.

Electronic health record (EHR) incentive program reduction indicator¶

Enter Y or N; or leave blank.

ESRD children hospital quality indicator¶

Children's Hospitals for End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Facilities. Enter the code applicable to the ESRD Quality Incentive Program (QIP). - Blank = no reduction

• 1 = ½ percent payment reduction

• 2 = 1 percent payment reduction

• 3 = 1½ percent payment reduction

• 4 = 2 percent payment reduction

Estimated total pass-through amount¶

When the "HMO Paid Claim" field equals "no," this amount is the product of the total pass-through & miscellaneous field and the length of stay.When the "HMO Paid Claim" field equals "yes," this amount is the product of the sum of the total pass-through amount & miscellaneous field, subtracting the pass-through amounts for Direct Medical Education, Organ Acquisition, and Allogeneic Stem Cell Acquisition, and the length of stay.

Facility cost¶

The estimated costs of the case is calculated by multiplying the allowable charges by the LTCH’s Cost-to-Charge Ratio (CCR).

Facility specific rate¶

The PPS Facility Specific Rate or Case Mix Adjusted Cost Per Discharge is calculated for PPS hospitals and waiver state non-excluded hospitals as the base year cost per discharge divided by the case-mix-index. New providers are entered as zero.

Federal PPS blend indicator¶

The federal PPS blend indicator variable determines the blended payment rate. The percentage payment varies by provider type.

Federal rate percent¶

Payments to LTCHs under the LTCH PPS are based on a single, annually updated, standard Federal rate for both the inpatient operating and capital-related costs.

Fiscal year begin date¶

The fiscal year begin date is the date on which the provider's cost reporting period begins. This field must be equal to or less than the effective date. This date is updated annually in the provider specific file (PSF) by the MAC to show the current year for providers receiving a blended payment based on their FY begin date.

Fiscal year end date¶

The fiscal year end date is the last day covered by the provider's cost report. The fiscal year end date is formatted as CCYYMMDD.

From date¶

Enter the date from a claim that corresponds to the Statement Covers Period “From” field of the UB-04.

Health insurance PPS code¶

This field is used by the program to determine the appropriate case-mix weight for payment calculation. Enter the Health Insurance Prospective Payment System (HIPPS) code that corresponds to the earliest dated revenue code 0022 line on the claim. Medicare will only price valid HIPPS code. For a list of valid Skilled Nursing Facility HIPPS codes, refer to: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/ProspMedicareFeeSvcPmtGen/HIPPSCodes

High-cost outlier¶

An HCO is an adjustment to the applicable LTCH PPS payment rate (either the site neutral rate or the standard Federal rate) for LTCH stays that exceed the typical cost for cases with a similar case-mix. It equals 80 percent of the difference between the estimated cost of the case and the outlier threshold and is added to the applicable LTCH PPS payment rate.

Hospital quality indicator¶

The hospital quality indicator indicates that the hospital meets criteria to receive higher payment per MMA (Medicare Modernization Act of 2003) quality standards. If the field is blank, the hospital does not meet criteria. If the field shows "1", the hospital quality standards have been met. For more information about CMS Quality Programs, visit: https://www.qualitynet.org/

Hospital readmission reduction adjustment¶

The Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) is a Medicare value-based purchasing program that reduces payments to hospitals with excess readmissions. For each eligible hospital, CMS calculates the payment adjustment factor (PAF), which represents the percent the hospital’s payment is reduced. Hospitals with higher PAFs have lower payment reductions. More information about the HRRP adjustment factor can be viewed here: https://www.qualitynet.org/inpatient/hrrp/payment

Hospital readmission reduction program participant¶

The Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) is a Medicare value-based purchasing program that reduces payments to hospitals with excess readmissions. The hospital readmissions reduction program participant field indicates if an acute inpatient hospital is participating. "0" indicates that the hospital is not participating in the program. "1" indicates that the hospital is participating in the program. More information about HRRP can be viewed here: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/AcuteInpatientPPS/Readmissions-Reduction-Program

Hospital-acquired condition (HAC) reduction program participant¶

Enter a 'Y' if the hospital is subject to a reduction under the HAC Reduction Program. Enter a ‘N’ if the hospital is NOT subject to a reduction under the HAC Reduction Program.

Inpatient core-based statistical area (CBSA)¶

Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA), used to wage-adjust inpatient levels of care. Hospices shall report the CBSA for inpatient levels of care in value code G8.

Intermediary number¶

Intermediary number refers to the fiscal intermediary (FI) or the Part A/B Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) to which the provider is assigned.

Intern-to-bed ratio¶

The intern-to-beds ratio is the provider's intern and resident to bed ratio. This is calculated by dividing the provider's full-time equivalent residents by the number of available beds, based on the average number of full-time equivalent residents assigned to the hospital during the fiscal year. This calculation does not include residents in anesthesiology who are employed to replace anesthetists or those assigned to PPS-excluded units. This field will display zero for non-teaching hospitals.

Length of stay¶

LTCHs are certified under Medicare as short-term acute care hospitals and, for Medicare payment purposes, are generally defined as having an average inpatient length of stay of greater than 25 days.

Lifetime reserve days¶

In this field, you may enter the lifetime reserve days for the beneficiary. Lifetime reserve days, also known as reserve days, are for when a beneficiary is in the hospital for more than 90 days.Medicare will pay for 60 additional reserve days that a beneficiary can only use once in his or her lifetime. They are not renewable once they are used.Not applicable for Indian Health Service or Contract Health Service. Lifetime reserve days are Medicare days and are only applicable for Medicare beneficiaries.

Low-volume (LV) adjustment factor¶

Enter the low-volume hospital payment adjustment factor calculated and published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for each eligible hospital

LTCH diagnosis related group average length of stay¶

The ALOS associated with the claim's DRG. The average length of stay may trigger an outlier cutoff.

LTCH DPP indicator¶

Long-Term Care Hospital (LTCH) Discharge Payment Percentage (DPP) Payment Adjustment indicates whether the LTCH is subject to the DPP payment adjustment for failure to maintain the required discharge payment percentage. A blank value indicates LTCH is not subject to the DPP payment adjustment. A 'Y' value indicated the LTCH is subject to the DPP payment adjustment.

LTCH relative weight¶

Payment weights assigning a specific value representing the relative resource use of each LTCH DRG are determined by the hospital-specific relative value method.Relative weights are updated annually October 1 using the most recent available claims data. Relative weights and the geometric average length of stay are in the Pricer program.

LTCH wage index¶

Based on the Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA)

LUGAR¶

A Lugar designation allows a hospital located in a rural county adjacent to one or more urban areas to be treated as urban for purposes of payment if it meets certain criteria. The Lugar field indicates if the MSA has been reclassified for wage index purposes. These are also known as Lugar reclassifications, and apply to ASC-approved services provided on an outpatient basis when a hospital qualifies for payment under an alternate wage index MSA. If there has not been a Lugar reclassification, this field is blank.

Medicaid ratio¶

The Medicaid ratio is used to determine if the hospital qualifies for a disproportionate share adjustment and to determine the size of the capital and operating DSH adjustments. The Medicaid ratio is the percentage of total inpatient days attributable to patients eligible for Medicaid by not Medicare Part A.

Medicare performance adjustment (MPA)¶

Enter the MPA percentage calculated and published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Model 1 bundle percent¶

The Bundled Payments for Care Improvement (BPCI) initiative was comprised of four broadly defined models of care, which linked payments for the multiple services beneficiaries received during an episode of care. In Model 1, the episode of care was defined as the inpatient stay in the acute care hospital. This field displays the discount percentage for hospitals who participated in BPCI Model 1. More information about BPCI can be viewed here: https://innovation.cms.gov/innovation-models/bundled-payments

National labor percent¶

The base payment rate is adjusted for differences in labor costs. The national labor percent indicates the percentage of the base payment amount, known as the labor-related portion, which is multiplied by a version of the hospital wage index. The result is then added to the non-labor related portion.

National non-labor percent¶

The base payment rate is adjusted for differences in labor costs. The non-labor percent indicates the percentage of the base payment amount which is not adjusted by the hospital wage index.

New hospital¶

The new hospital field will show a "Y" (Yes) for the first two years that a new hospital is in operation. It is left blank if the hospital is not within the first two years of operation.

Outlier charge threshold¶

To qualify for a high cost outlier (HCO) payment, an LTCH's estimated treatment costs must exceed the outlier threshold. The applicable outlier threshold is calculated as the applicable LTCH PPS payment for the case plus the applicable fixed-loss amount.

Outlier payment¶

Eighty percent of the difference between the estimated cost of the case and the outlier threshold (the Long-Term Care Diagnosis-related group (LTC-DRG) payment plus a fixed loss amount).

Outlier threshold¶

To qualify for outlier payments, a case must have costs above a fixed-loss cost threshold amount (a dollar amount by which the costs of a case must exceed payments in order to qualify for outliers).Hospital-specific cost-to-charge ratios are applied to the covered charges for a case to determine whether the costs of the case exceed the fixed-loss outlier threshold. Payments for eligible cases are then made based on a marginal cost factor, which is a percentage of the costs above the threshold.

Pass-through amount Allogeneic Stem Cell Acquisition¶

The per diem payment amount based on the interim payments to the hospital that includes acquisition amounts for allogeneic stem cell transplants.

Pass-through amount capital¶

The pass-through amount for capital is a per diem amount based on the interim payments to the hospital. Must be zero if location 185 = A, B, or C. Used for PPS hospitals prior to their cost reporting period beginning in FY 92, new hospitals during their first 2 years of operation FY 92 or later, and non-PPS hospitals or units. Zero-fill if this does not apply. Refer to the Provider Reimbursement Manual, §2405.2 for additional information.

Pass-through amount direct¶

The pass-through amount for direct medical education is a per diem amount based on the interim payments to the hospital. The field will display zero if this does not apply. See the Provider Reimbursement Manual, §2405.2 for more information: https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/Paper-Based-Manuals-Items/CMS021929

Pass-through amount for Supply Chain Costs¶

The per diem amount based on the interim payments to the hospital. Includes payment adjustments for the additional resource costs of establishing and maintaining access to buffer stocks of essential medicines. Also include payment adjustments for the additional cost for procurement of wholly domestically made NIOSH-approved surgical N95 respirators.

Pass-through amount organ¶

The pass-through amount for organ acquisition is a per diem amount based on the interim payments to the hospital. It includes standard acquisition amounts for kidney, heart, lung, pancreas, intestine, and liver transplants. It does not include acquisition costs for bone marrow transplants. The field will display zero if this does not apply. See the Provider Reimbursement Manual, §2405.2 for more information: https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/Paper-Based-Manuals-Items/CMS021929

Patient status¶

In this field, you may enter the patient status code from the claim

Payment CBSA¶

Payment Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA), a 5-digit value. Enter the appropriate code for the CBSA, 00001-89999 or 000 followed by the 2-digit numeric State code to which a hospital has been reclassified. For example, Ohio with state code 36 would be entered as '00036'. Leave blank or enter the actual location CBSA (field 35) if not reclassified.

Payment model adjustment¶

Payment Model Adjustment (PMA) Derived from payment model Technical Direction Letter.

Procedure code¶

The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code set used to report the beneficiary's principal diagnosis or and other diagnoses during the stay.For example, A49.02 can be entered as A4902 without decimals.

Provider number¶

Enter between six - thirteen digit CMS Certification Number (CCN) present on the claim. For a sub-campus unit of a multicampus hospital, enter the full CCN number that includes the 6 digits main campus CCN plus the suffix. For example: 010001A. For information on CCN format, you must contact your MAC or review the Provider Specific File information found on the CMS Provider Data Service website. The National Provider Identifier (NPI) on the claim (if submitted by the hospital) is not entered in this field. You should receive both the CCN number and the NPI number on the claim. In rare circumstances, however, a hospital may only submit their NPI number without their CCN number. Should this occur, you will have to contact the billing hospital to obtain the CCN number as the Web Pricer cannot process using the NPI.

Provider PPS period¶

The Provider PPS period field is obsolete and left blank as of April 1, 1991.

Provider type¶

The provider type identifies the provider type with a two-digit code. For example: 04 is Rehabilitation facility, 50 is Rehabilitation Distinct Part, 06 is Hospital Distinct Parts. For a full list of provider types, please see the Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 3 - Inpatient Hospital Billing, Addendum A - Provider Specific File, accessible here: https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Manuals/Internet-Only-Manuals-IOMs

Reclassification CBSA¶

The Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) code, or the rural area, to which a hospital has been reclassified for wage index purposes. If the hospital has not been reclassified, this field will be left blank or will default to display the Geographic Location CBSA.

Reduced coinsurance trailer count¶

Enter the number of APCs the provider has elected to reduce coinsurance for. The number cannot be greater than 999.

Region Indicator¶

Flag indicating if CBSA is Rural or Urban.

Regular days¶

Days that are not Lifetime reserve days

Report date¶

Must be numeric, enter date format here date file created/run date of the Provider report for submittal to CMS Central Office.

Review Code¶

01 - LTCH Standard PPS Payment.The through date is during the provider’s cost reporting period beginning on or after 10/01/15 and the LTCH patient must not have a principal diagnosis of a psychiatric or rehabilitation diagnosis in the LTCH and either: - have been admitted directly from an IPPS hospital during which at least 3 days were spent in an intensive care unit (ICU) or coronary care unit (CCU); or

• have been admitted directly from an IPPS hospital and the LTCH discharge is assigned to an MS-LTC-DRG based on the receipt of ventilator services of at least 96 hours

02 - LTCH Site Neutral Payment.The through date is during the provider’s cost reporting period beginning on or after 10/01/15 and the LTCH patient does not meet one or both of the criteria in Return Code 01.In other words: - the LTCH claim has a principal diagnosis of a psychiatric or rehabilitation diagnosis; or

• the patient was not admitted directly from an IPPS hospital; or

• the patient was admitted directly from an IPPS hospital however they did not spend at least 3 days in the ICU or CCU; or

• the patient was admitted directly from an IPPS hospital however they did not receive ventilator services for at least 96 hours.

Site-neutral cost payment amount¶

For cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2015, Medicare pays LTCH discharges at a site neutral payment rate when specific patient criteria are not met. The site neutral payment rate is the lesser of the estimated costs of the case or the IPPS comparable amount.The site neutral payment amount based on the estimated costs of the case is calculated by multiplying the allowable charges by the LTCH’s Cost-to-Charge Ratio (CCR).

Site-neutral IPPS payment amount¶

For cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2015, Medicare pays LTCH discharges at a site neutral payment rate when specific patient criteria are not met. The site neutral payment rate is the lesser of the estimated costs of the case or the IPPS comparable per diem amount.The site neutral payment amount based on theIPPS comparable per diem amount is the same as is (calculated under the Short-Stay Outlier [SSO] policy), including any applicable High-Cost Outlier [HCO] payment).

Sole community or Medicare¶

The sole community or Medicare field indicates if the provider is a sole community hospital (SCH) or a Medicare dependent hospital (MDH) effective with cost reporting periods that begin on or after April 1, 1990. If the provider is not a SCH or MDH, this field is blank. If the provider is a SCH or MDH, this field shows the base year for the operating hospital-specific rate, the higher of either 82 or 87. SCHs and MDHs are paid based on either the Federal rate or their hospital-specific (HSP) rate, whichever will result in the greatest payment. As of October 1, 2012, MDHs are no longer valid provider types.

Special locality indicator¶

Indicates the type of special locality provision that applies. For End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) facilities with dates of service prior to Jan 1, 2025, value “Y” equals low volume adjustment applicable. For Dates of service on or after Jan 1, 2025, value “blank” equals no low volume adjustment applicable and value “1” or “2” equals tier number applicable for low volume adjustment.

Special payment indicator - Claim¶

The default value for this field is blank. If you know that a special payment indicator applies, you can also enter 1. - 1 = Claim has Condition Code 66 (this means that the provider has refused cost outlier payment for this claim).

Special payment indicator - Provider data¶

The special payment indicator code indicates the type of special payment provision that applies. A blank field indicates that the special payment is not applicable. "Y" indicates reclassified. "1" indicates special wage index indicator. "2" indicates both special wage index indicator and reclassified. "D" indicates dual reclassified.

Special provider update factor¶

The special provider update factor field is obsolete for hospitals as of Fiscal Year 1992. Effective January 1, 2018, this field is used for Home Health Agencies (HHA) only. For HHA, this fields shows the VBP adjustment factor provided by CMS for each HHA; if no factor is provided, the field will show 1.00000.

Special wage index¶

Certain providers may be assigned a special wage index. The special wage index field will display zero unless the Special Payment Indicator is set to "1" or "2."

SSI ratio¶

The supplemental security income ratio (SSI ratio) is used to determine if the hospital qualifies for a disproportionate share adjustment and to determine the size of the capital and operation DSH (Disproportionate Share Hospital) adjustments. The SSI ratio is the percentage of Medicare inpatient days attributable to patients eligible for both Medicare Part A and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Standard full payment¶

For cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2015, Medicare pays LTCH discharges based on the standard Federal rate when specific patient criteria are met. LTCH discharges paid the "full" standard Federal rate were not subject to an adjustment under the Short-Stay Outlier [SSO] policy.

Standard short-stay outlier¶

For cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2015, Medicare pays LTCH discharges based on the standard Federal rate when specific patient criteria are met. LTCH discharges with a covered LOS less than/equal to ⅚th of the geometric mean LOS for the Medicare-Severity Diagnosis Related Group (MS-DRG) are subject to a payment adjustment under the Short-Stay Outlier [SSO] policy.The SSO policy helps prevent inappropriate payment for cases without a full episode of care. An SSO payment adjustment is only applicable to the standard Federal payment rate discharges.

Standardized amount CBSA¶

The Standardized amount CBSA shows the Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) code, or the rural area, to which a hospital has been reclassified. If the hospital has not been reclassified, this field will be left blank or default to display the Geographic Location CBSA.

Standardized amount MSA¶

The MSA (metropolitan statistical area) indicates where a provider is located. The Standardized amount MSA indicates if and how a facility has been reclassified for standardized amount. The Wage Index MSA field is formatted as a four digit code in the range 0040-9965 or, if a rural area, a two digit state code. CMS defines hospital geographic areas based on the definitions of urban areas and rural areas issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). A full listing of the MSAs can be found on the OMB website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/information-for-agencies/bulletins/

State code¶

2 digit numeric to identify where the facility is physically located.Enter only the first (lowest) code for a given state. For example, effective October 1, 2005, Florida has the following State Codes: 10, 68 and 69. MACs shall enter a “10” for Florida’s state code.List of valid state codes is located in Pub. 100-07, Chapter 2, Section 2779A1.

Supplemental wage index¶

Enter the supplemental wage index that certain providers may be assigned. Enter zeroes if it does not apply.

Supplemental wage index indicator¶

Enter the supplemental wage index flag that certain providers may be assigned:1=Prior Year Wage Index*2=Future use3=Future useEnter blank if it does not apply

Temporary relief indicator¶

The Temporary Relief Indicator will be listed as "Y" if the provider qualifies for a payment update under the temporary relief provision. Otherwise, the field is left blank.Effective October 1, 2005, "Y" will display for IRFs located in the state and county in Table 2 of the Addendum of the August 15, 2005 Federal Register (70 FR 47880). The table can also be found at the following website: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/InpatientRehabFacPPS/Data-Files

Termination date¶

This field provides the date on which the reporting MAC ceased servicing the provider. If there is no termination date, this field will display as zero. If the provider is terminated or transferred to another MAC, a termination date is placed in the file to reflect the last date the provider was serviced by the outgoing MAC. Likewise, if the provider identification number changes, a termination date is placed in the provider file transmitted to CMS Central Office for the old provider identification number.

Total pass-through amount and miscellaneous¶

Per diem amount based on the interim payments to the hospital. Must be at least equal to the Capital, Direct Medical Education, and Organ Acquisition pass through amounts. The following are also included in the total pass through amount: Allogeneic Stem Cell Acquisition, Supply Chain Costs, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), which are paid as part of Miscellaneous Pass-through for rural hospitals that perform fewer than 500 surgeries per year, and Nursing and Allied Health Professional Education, when conducted by a provider in an approved program. Do not include amounts paid for Indirect Medical Education, Hemophilia Clotting Factors, or DSH adjustments. Zero-fill if this does not apply. Refer to the Provider Reimbursement Manual, §2405.2 for additional information.

Transitional corridor payments (TOPs) indicator¶

Enter the code to indicate whether Transitional Corridor Payments (TOPs) applies or not. - Y = qualifies for TOPs

• N = does not qualify for TOPs

Uncompensated care amount¶

The estimated per discharge uncompensated care payment amount calculated and published by CMS for each hospital.

Value-based purchasing adjustment¶

Section 3001 of the Affordable Care Act added section 1886(o) to the Social Security Act, establishing the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program. The value-based purchasing (VBP) adjustment field shows the adjustment factor.

Value-based purchasing participant¶

Section 3001 of the Affordable Care Act added section 1886(o) to the Social Security Act, establishing the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing (VBP) Program. The value-based purchasing (VBP) participant field will show "Y" (Yes) if the hospital is participating in the program and "N" (No) if the hospital is not participating.

Vent procedure¶

Select YES if the LTCH discharge is assigned to an MS-LTC-DRG based on the receipt of ventilator services of at least 96 hours.

Wage index¶

As part of the methodology for determining prospective payments to hospitals, standardized amounts must be adjusted for area differences in hospital wage levels. This adjustment factor is the wage index.Section 1886(d)(3)(E) of the Social Security Act requires that, as part of the methodology for determining prospective payments to hospitals, the Secretary must adjust the standardized amounts “for area differences in hospital wage levels by a factor (established by the Secretary) reflecting the relative hospital wage level in the geographic area of the hospital compared to the national average hospital wage level.” This adjustment factor is the wage index.

Wage index MSA¶

Wage Index Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), indicates where a provider is located as well as if and how a facility has been reclassified due to its prevailing wage rates. The Wage Index MSA field is entered as a 4-digit value, that ranges from 0040-9965. In a rural area, the Wage Index MSA is entered as '00' followed by the 2-digit numeric state code. For example, Ohio with state code 36 would be entered as '0036'.

Waiver code¶

The waiver code is set to either "Y" (Yes) or "N" (No). "Y" indicates waived, meaning the provider is not under PPS. "N" indicates not waived, meaning the provider is under PPS.

Last updated: 2026-01-30. Source: CMS Web Pricer