PEPPER Distribution
TMF will distribute PEPPER according to the schedule and methods below.
2012-2013 Distribution Schedule
| Provider Type |
Distribution Date |
Distribution Method |
| Short-term acute care hospitals |
Quarterly, on or about November 26, 2012, February 25, May 24 and August 26, 2013 |
QualityNet secure file exchange |
| Long-term acute care hospitals |
Annually, between March 25 and April 12, 2013 |
Direct mail via FedEx to facility CEO |
| Critical access hospitals |
Annually, on or about March 25, 2013 |
QualityNet secure file exchange |
| Inpatient psychiatric facilities |
Annually, between March 20 and April 12, 2013 |
Free-standing IPFs: Direct mail to facility CEO
IPF Distinct Part Units of short-term acute care hospitals: Electronically via QualityNet secure file exchange
|
| Inpatient rehabilitation facilities |
Annually, between March 20 and April 12, 2013 |
Free-standing IRFs: Direct mail via FedEx to facility CEO
IRF Distinct Part Units of short-term acute care hospitals: Electronically via QualityNet secure file exchange
|
| Hospices |
Annually, between March 25 and April 12, 2013 |
Direct mail via FedEx to CEO |
| Partial Hospitalization Programs |
Annually, between March 25 and April 12, 2013 |
PHPs administered through Community Mental Health Centers, and free-standing IPFs, IRFs, long-term acute care hospitals and children’s hospitals: Direct mail via FedEx to CEO
PHPs administered through short-term acute care hospitals and IPF distinct part units of short-term acute care hospitals: electronically via QualityNet secure file exchange
|
For those providers receiving their PEPPERs through a secure file exchange with QualityNet: View important information about QualityNet accounts, including how to register.
PEPPERs are uploaded to the My QualityNet accounts of QualityNet Administrators, and those who have QualityNet basic user accounts with the PEPPER Recipient and File Exchange and Search roles. Having trouble downloading your PEPPER from QualityNet? View instructions for downloading your PEPPER.
For those providers receiving their PEPPERs as hard copies by direct mail via FedEx, please update as necessary any physical and/or mailing address changes on CMS 855A and send it to your Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) or Fiscal Intermediary (FI) Provider Enrollment Unit. Contact your MAC/FI Provider Enrollment Unit for information regarding this process. Please alert those who are responsible for handling mail that the PEPPERs are sent by TMF Health Quality Institute. Those unable to locate their report may submit a request for assistance through the Help Desk.
Information about how to use PEPPER, including recorded training sessions and educational material, is available on the Training & Resources page.
Note: Due to data restrictions established by CMS, provider data are not displayed in a time period in PEPPER in any given target area if the numerator or denominator is less than 11. This data restriction may result in a small number of providers either not receiving a PEPPER (less than 11 discharges in all time periods, all target areas) or their PEPPER may not display data in some time periods for some target areas.