Medicare program; uniform electronic cost reporting system for hospitals--HCFA. Final rule with comment period

This final rule with comment period implements the provisions of section 4007(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, as amended by section 411(b)(6) of the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988, which require the Secretary to place into effect a standardized electronic cost reporting system for all hospitals under the Medicare program. Under this final rule with comment period, all hospitals are required to submit their cost reports, for hospital cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 1989, in a uniform electronic format. The Secretary may grant a delay or a waiver of this requirement where implementation could result in financial hardship for a hospital.