Cost Report Reimbursement
Cost-based facilities are reimbursed by Medicare and Medicaid based on actual program costs incurred during the year. Examples of cost-based facilities in Nevada include critical access hospitals (CAH) and skilled nursing facilities (SNF).
CAHs are reimbursed by Medicare and Nevada Medicaid based on an interim rate established from the routine and ancillary program costs and settled on the cost report at the end of the year. A new interim rate is established based on that cost report and later settled when the following year’s cost report is filed.
Direct and indirect expenses related to treating patients are reimbursable costs by Medicare and/or Medicaid on the cost report. Expenses incurred by a facility for health IT and subscription fees are recognized as allowable indirect expenses and can also be claimed for reimbursement.
Similar to CAHs, hospital-based SNFs are also reimbursed my Nevada Medicaid on an interim rate and settled on the cost report. Free-standing SNFs are reimbursed my Nevada Medicaid on a facility-specific rate, which is calculated quarterly and is based on acuity and case mix, in addition to cost.
Fees related to health information exchanges (HIE) and electronic health record (EHR) vendor fees can be recouped through the cost reporting process. A simplified reimbursement calculation is outlined below:
| Typical One-Time Cost of EHR Vendor Interface to HIE | $8,000 |
| Annual Subscription to HealtHIE Nevada | $5,000 |
| Total Year One Cost | $13,000 |
| Medicare Cost Report and Medicare Coverage Database | 75% |
| Estimated Reimbursable Amount | $9,750 |
| Actual Year One Fee from CAH or SNF | $3,250 |
| Subsequent Years | $1,250 |
For more information, call 855-4-THE-HIE (855-484-3443) or email HIESupport@comagine.org.
Direct and indirect expenses related to treating patients are reimbursable costs by Medicare and/or Medicaid on the cost report. Expenses incurred by a facility for health IT and subscription fees are recognized as allowable indirect expenses and can also be claimed for reimbursement.
FIND OUT MORE
To speak to an account representative and learn more about how HealtHIE Nevada can help reduce your operational costs, please call 855-4-THE-HIE (855-484-3443) or email HIESupport@healthienevada.org.