CMS Publishes Federal Fiscal Year 2020 SSI Ratios
In late February, CMS issued the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2020 acute care SSI ratios. The FFY 2020 SSI ratios are used for the computation of provider FFY 2020 empirical DSH payments (cost reporting period beginning between 10/1/2019 – 9/30/2020). CMS has not yet released the FFY 2020 Low-Income Patient (LIP) SSI ratios for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities. We expect CMS to issue LIP SSI ratios soon.
Acute SSI ratios: DSH Adjustment and 2019-2020 File (ZIP)
Upon issuance, LIP SSI ratios can be located at: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/InpatientRehabFacPPS/SSIData
Medicare DSH Providers in the Ninth Circuit
Similar to FFY 2019, the FFY 2020 SSI ratios include only “covered” SSI days (as opposed to “eligible” SSI days) for providers in the Ninth Circuit per Empire Health Foundation v. Azar. (“the Empire Case”). The Ninth Circuit decision impacts the SSI ratios for providers in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. The availability of FFY 2020 SSI ratios allow providers, including those in the Ninth Circuit, to preliminarily settle cost reports related to FFY 2020. The Empire Case is currently pending before the Supreme Court.
All other Medicare DSH Providers
All other DSH hospitals outside of the Ninth Circuit have FFY 2020 SSI ratios consistent with existing CMS regulations (using “eligible” SSI days, as opposed to “covered” SSI days). Although CMS states the FFY 2020 SSI ratios are preliminary, Toyon recommends DSH providers appeal any FFY 2020 cost report whereby an NPR is issued prior to the Supreme Court decision on the Empire Case.
Please feel free to contact Dylan Chinea at 925.685.9312, ext. 3121, dylan.chinea@toyonassociates.com with any questions.