What’s happening: In a report, the US Health and Human Services’ Office of the Inspector General found that some skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) did not comply with Medicare requirements for reporting related party costs.

• These SNFs failed to report related parties on their Medicare Cost Reports or reported the costs inaccurately, resulting in overstated costs to the Medicare Program.

Action for facilities: Review the Skilled Nursing Facility Billing Reference educational tool to find out:

• why related party costs must be reported accurately; and
• how to accurately report these costs and required documentation.