The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a temporary pause in distributing and PEPPER reports as CMS works to improve and update the program and reporting system. PEPPER is an electronic report that provides provider-specific Medicare data statistics for discharges/services vulnerable to improper payments. This pause will remain in effect through the fall of 2024.

Many home health, hospice, and skilled nursing facilities find these reports extremely valuable to their agencies. Therefore, during this time, CMS will be working diligently to enhance the quality and accessibility of the reports.

CMS also stated they will release a Request for Information (RFI) in the near future to obtain information from the provider community about how the program can better serve agencies.

LeadingAge will continue to monitor the redevelopment of PEPPER and engage members on the forthcoming RFI.