Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) wage index cost report audits.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is forecasting a contract to conduct audits of inpatient prospective payment system wage index cost reports, which are critical to determining Medicare reimbursement rates for hospitals based on geographic labor costs. These audits will evaluate the accuracy and compliance of cost data submitted by hospitals to ensure proper application of the wage index adjustments used in Medicare payment calculations. The work will involve reviewing financial and operational documentation, performing on-site or remote audits, identifying discrepancies, and providing detailed findings to support payment integrity and fiscal responsibility within the Medicare program. The procurement is classified under NAICS code 541611, indicating it involves administrative management and general management consulting services, and will be executed by a contractor with expertise in healthcare finance, auditing, and federal reimbursement systems. Point of contact for program inquiries is Noel Manlove, while Cathryn Kim serves as the contracting officer. The opportunity is listed as a forecast with no solicitation number yet issued, and no set-aside designation has been specified, meaning it is open to all eligible offerors. The work will likely require deep knowledge of Medicare payment rules, cost reporting requirements, and data analysis techniques to ensure audits are thorough and defensible.