SNF PEPPER Reports Released by CMS

The Program for Evaluating Payment Patterns Electonic Report (PEPPER) is a report that summarizes a SNF's Medicare claims data in areas that may be at risk for improper Medicare payments. The SNF's statistics are compared with aggregate national statistics to identify whether the SNF may be at risk for improper Medicare payments. SNFs can use the data in these reports to support internal auditing activities.

CMS contracted with TMF Health Quality Institute to distribute PEPPER reports. The first release of the SNF PEPPER was completed on Aug., 30. SNFs administered through short term acute care hospitals received the SNF PEPPER electronically through the File Exchange inbox of hospital QualityNet. Free-standing SNFs and SNFs administered through long term acute care hospitals and inpatient rehabilitation facilities received their PEPPER in hard copy format via USPS first-class mail, shipped on Aug. 30. The envelope is addressed to the CEO/Administrator, so it is advised that SNFs be on the look-out for this envelope and assure that is appropriately routed internally.

Visit the PEPPER training and resources web page for more information on the SNF PEPPER, including training and resources for SNFs and the SNF PEPPER User's Guide.

Contact: Kathy Pellatt, kpellatt@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8848