CMS requires most of the cost report forms to be submitted in an electronic file format rather than on paper. This electronic file is called the Electronic Cost Report, or ECR file.

The HFS Medicare Cost Report software allows you to produce this file quickly and easily. To produce the ECR file, choose the Export command on the File menu, and then click on the ECR File sub-command.

This command actually produces two file: 1) the ECR file, and 2) the Print Image file.
Both of these files are required by CMS at the time you submit your cost report to your Fiscal Intermediary. The Print Image (PI) file is a compressed text file containing all of the printed worksheets in the cost report. To the Fiscal Intermediary, this is the same as receiving your cost report in printed format.

Also produced is a printed Signature Settlement Page, which contains special encryption codes. This page must be signed and sent in with the electronic files.

Click here to use an interactive tutorial that will walk you through the steps to export an ECR file.