Effective for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2012, the labor and delivery equivalent days for the entire hospital that are attributable to outpatient services provided in the distinct labor and delivery room will need to be identified on your Medicare cost reports. These days are for patients occupying the distinct ancillary labor and delivery room until they are admitted as inpatients or are discharged from the hospital. Labor & delivery beds are also subject to reporting and included in the total beds available for service.
Providers should keep a log of the number of patients in Labor and Delivery Areas at midnight as well as keep a log of hours present in the labor and delivery area prior to admitting or discharging.
If you have any questions or need assistance in complying with the new cost report reporting requirements, please contact our Albany office at (229) 883-7878 or our Atlanta office at (404) 220-8494.