Frequently Asked Questions are used to provide additional information and/or statutory guidance not found in State Medicaid Director Letters, State Health Official Letters, or CMCS Informational Bulletins. The different sets of FAQs as originally released can be accessed below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a state type information and data into unlocked fields in the Upper Payment Limit (UPL) templates or must the data from state-developed UPL reports/workbooks be mapped through, for example, V-Look-ups into the UPL templates?
Yes. Mapping data, through V-Look-ups, for example, is a much easier and consistent process for current and future UPL submissions. However, a state may choose to type information and data into unlocked fields in the UPL templates. When a state chooses to input data directly (not through a V-Look-up) into the template, it still must provide the supporting documentation with the source data. Additionally, the state should explain how it mapped data from the supporting documentation into the template. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services utilizes the supporting information to confirm that the information in the templates is correct.
FAQ ID:92451
SHARE URLAre states only required to conduct Upper Payment Limit (UPL) demonstrations for services with approved state plan supplemental payment methodologies?
No, an upper payment limit demonstration considers all Medicaid payments (base and supplemental). States must conduct UPL demonstrations for the applicable services described in State Medicaid Director Letter (SMDL) 13-003 regardless of whether a state makes supplemental payments under the Medicaid state plan for the services.
FAQ ID:92191
SHARE URLOur state uses multiple cost centers (routine and ancillary) in the calculation of our inpatient hospital Upper Payment Limit (UPL). Do the templates permit the use of multiple cost centers?
Yes, the templates allow the use of multiple cost centers. For example, if the state uses a cost methodology for ancillary services and a per-diem methodology for routine services, the state will complete one cost template and one per-diem template in order to account for these two cost centers. Every hospital would be featured in each of the two templates; however, to differentiate their provider information, the state would append the Medicare Certification Number (Medicare ID) (variable 112) with a letter, such as an -A or a -B. For example, if the Medicare ID was 123456, it would be depicted in the cost template as 123456-A and in the per diem template as 123456-B. If a Medicare Certification Number is not available then the state should append the Medicaid Provider Number. If there are multiple cost centers under either the cost or per-diem methodology, the state would separate out the cost centers within their respective templates. Each cost center should be associated with only one appended letter and these should be described in the notes tab. When using multiple cost centers, the state should insert a new tab in the templates that summarizes the UPL gap calculations for each of the ownership categories (state government owned, non-state government owned, and private), unless a summary worksheet is already included in the workbook.
FAQ ID:92261
SHARE URLIf we complete multiple inpatient templates for Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG) and per diem, should they be in the same file or separate files? Should there be a summary of all the inpatient Upper Payment Limits (UPLs) showing grand totals?
The state should complete one template each for the DRG and per diem UPL calculations and these should be placed in one file. The state should also include a summary worksheet in the same file that shows the UPL gap for each ownership category (state government owned, non-state government owned, and private). States should include all necessary supporting documentation.
FAQ ID:92276
SHARE URLThis table indicates what reports are available to CMS Users. These can be found under the "Reports" tab.
Report Name |
Description |
Available For |
Clock Status Report |
View the regulatory clock statuses |
CPOC, CMS Disapproval Coordinator, SRT Admin CMS Report Admin, |
State Agency Profile Report |
Overview of a State's Medicaid Plan including the prior 12 months' submission package history |
CPOC, CMS Disapproval Coordinator, SRT Admin, CMS Report Admin, CSA, SRT |
Submission Detail Report |
View details on packages by date |
CPOC, CMS Disapproval Coordinator, SRT Admin, CMS Report Admin, SME, PA, PD,SRRVW, SRT |
Submission Statistics Detail Report |
View all Submission Packages currently in review |
CPOC, CMS Disapproval Coordinator, SRT Admin, CMS Report Admin, SME, PA, PD, SRRVW, SRT |
Submission Statistics Summary Report |
View summary of Submission Packages in a specific review status within a specified date range. |
CPOC, CMS Disapproval Coordinator, SRT Admin, CMS Report Admin, SME, PA, PD,SRRVW, SRT |
Submission Summary Report |
Overview of submitted packages by date |
CPOC, CMS Disapproval Coordinator, SRT Admin, CMS Report Admin, SME, PA, PD,SRRVW, SRT |
Staff Workload Report |
View the number of Submission Packages assigned to each CPOC and SRT member, as of the report run date. |
CMS Disapproval Coordinator, SRT Admin, CMS Report Admin, CSA |
FAQ ID:92871
SHARE URLWhat is the Review Tool Report?
The Review Tool Report is a feature CPOCs, SRTs, Senior Reviewers, Package Approvers, Package Disapprovers, and CMS Report Admins can utilize to see Package Reviewable Units, Reviewers, Reviewable Unit Assessment Values, and Notes.
Log in as CMS Point of Contact or Submission Review Team member. Under the "Records" tab, select "Submission Packages". Then select the link to the submission package. In the left panel, select "Review Tool Report". You may sort the reviews of all Review Team members by Package Reviewable Unit, Reviewer, Reviewable Unit Assessment Value, or Note/Assessments by utilizing the drop-down boxes. You also have the ability to export this report to Excel by selecting "Export to Excel."
FAQ ID:92876
SHARE URLWhat is the purpose of each Analyst Note Type?
Analyst Notes are a form of brief internal communication for the CMS Review Team. These notes are a part of the official record; however, State users are not able to see these notes. Analyst Notes are part of the Review Tool for each Reviewable Unit and the SRT or CPOC may view the notes from other Review Team members (depending on the type of note) within the Review Tool, and add his/her own notes.
The CMS Point of Contact or Submission Review Team members may add Analysts Notes through the Review Tool. The types of notes available are referenced in a table below. You will start by logging in as the CMS Point of Contact or Submission Review Team member, then going to the "Records" tab. Under the "Records" tab select "Submission Packages" and then select the link to the package. In the left panel select "Analyst Notes". You will then have the ability to search notes entered by Review Team Members.
Analyst Note Type | Description | Visible By |
Note to self | Private note for self only | Self |
For POC (Formal Review) | Indicates information that should be included in disposition | CPOC |
For Review Team | For other Review Team members | CPOC and SRT |
For RAI | Indicates something that requires RAI | CPOC and SRT |
For Correspondence Log | Indicates information that should be communicated to the SPOC | CPOC and SRT |
Non SRT-User | Note on behalf of a CMS participant outside of the Review Team | CPOC and SRT |
General Note | A note that doesn't fall into another category | All |
Justification | Provides bases for a recommended disposition | POC Admin, CPOC and SRT |
Post-Recommendation | Included by other CMS users during the package disposition review | POC Admin, CPOC and SRT |
FAQ ID:92881
SHARE URLCertain fields within the reviewable units seem misaligned, how do I fix this issue?
If certain fields are misaligned you may need to adjust your compatibility settings. Click the Tools button in the upper right side of your screen, and then click Compatibility View settings. Next click the Add button. The website is added to your Compatibility View and the screen will realign. You can always remove the website by clicking on the website in the list and clicking the Remove button. If an issue persists, please email the MACPro Help Desk at MACPro_HelpDesk@cms.hhs.gov
FAQ ID:92886
SHARE URLHow do I print a Quality Measures report?
- Select "Records" from the navigation panel at the top of the screen.
- Select the appropriate Quality Measure from the Records list.
- Select the specific report to be displayed.
- Once the report is displayed, in the left hand menu, click on "Report Data". This will direct you to the Admin Screen where you can find a list of all core measures.
- Select a core measure. You may then expand each field you would like to print within the Core Measure by scrolling down the page and selecting the +/- button.
- To print, use the browser print function. First navigate to the "File" tab. Select "Page Setup".
- In the "Page Setup" box, set all "Headers"; and all "Footers" to empty using the drop down menus. Please note that this is a one-time step that does not have to be done for subsequent print operations.
- Next, use the browser print function by navigating to the "File" tab and then selecting "Print". You may also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+P. This will print the core measure data to your printer.
FAQ ID:92946
SHARE URLIs there a way to attach additional information or appendices to give to a state?
Yes, at the end of a Seek More Information Request (SMI), there is an Upload Documents section where you can include more information for states.
FAQ ID:92951
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