Late today, ODP issued additional information regarding the submission of cost reports for the Consolidated and P/FDS Waiver Programs.  The cost report template and instructions are now available on the odpconsulting.net website.   AZTAC will be closely reviewing the template and the instructions over the next few days, but at first glance, I thought it was important to note the following highlights:

• The FY 2010-2011 CR submission is referred to as "Year 4."
• Providers must do a trial CR submission by October 27, 2011
• The CR helpdesk will remain open until 5 p.m. on November 3, 2011.
• CR submissions must be uploaded before 11:59 p.m. on November 3, 2011
• CR resubmissions, if necessary and required through the AE desk review, will be due within a stated amount of time--no date given.  AZTAC expects that all resubmissions will need to be completed prior to late November to mid-December.
• AFS submissions for calendar year providers are due by September 30, 2011.
• AFS submissions for July - June fiscal year providers are due by March 31, 2012.
• Providers may upload cost reports using Microsoft Excel 2003, 2007, or 2010 without converting the files to 2003, but note that there are some special instructions for the various versions. 
• There is a four-page Appendix G that is titled "List of Changes to Year 4 Cost Report Instructions and Template," that begins on Page 159 of the CR instructions.
• Regarding the compensation grid, there is additional detail regarding criteria for single-service vs. multi-service provider; however, the format of the grid itself remains basically the same. 
• Non-residential services that were earlier (June 2011) threatened to be moved to fee-for-service remain on the list for completion of cost reports.  However, the following statement is made by ODP in the CR instructions:  "Note that ODP will continue to review the cost report data to determine if additional cost-based services will be moved to a fee schedule ratesetting methodology."
• In Year 4, Providers must submit same or fewer number of cost reports as in Year 3, unless advance approval is obtained.
• Reminder from a previous announcement that there will be web-based CR training on September 7, September 19, and September 20.  Note that each date will contain different information.  Watch for further information.