It’s that time again! Every three years, CMS is required to collect Occupational Mix data of employees for each short-term, acute care hospital that participates in the Medicare program in order to construct an adjustment to the wage index calculation. The Federal Fiscal Year’s 2013 Occupational Mix Survey will be based on pay periods dated from January 1, 2010, through December 31, 2010, and must be submitted to the Medicare Administrative Contractor by July 1, 2011.
The Occupational Mix data is collected and applied to the Core Based Statistical Area (CBSA) wage index calculation that directly impacts a facility’s base Medicare MS-DRG payment. The basis for the Occupational Mix Survey is to obtain wage data that accurately reflects the cost of nursing levels without reflecting staffing patterns. This survey is standardized to a national level and included within the CBSA’s wage index calculation.
The departments reported within the Occupational Mix Survey must correspond to your facility’s Medicare cost report as select cost centers have been chosen to ensure consistency across providers. The Occupational categories for FY 2013 are:
- Registered Nurses
- Licensed Practical Nurses and Surgical Technologists
- Nursing Aides, Orderlies & Attendants
- Medical Assistants
- All Other Occupations
CMS estimates that the time required to complete the survey is 480 hours. The Reimbursement professionals at PYA are available to assist you with the compilation and submission of the 2013 Occupational Mix Survey. Please contact the experts listed below at (800) 270-9629.
