Hospice cost report · CMS-1984-14
Hospice Cost Report Preparation (CMS-1984-14)
The hospice cost report is the annual Medicare cost report, Form CMS-1984-14, that freestanding hospices file with their Medicare Administrative Contractor by the last day of the fifth month after the period ends. Soriaga & Associates, LLC prepares it for a flat $1,599.99, or $500 for no utilization.
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The form
What is the hospice cost report?
Freestanding Medicare-certified hospices file an annual cost report on Form CMS-1984-14, for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 1, 2014. Hospital-based hospices file CMS-2552, skilled nursing facility-based hospices file CMS-2540, and home health agency-based hospices file CMS-1728. CMS publishes the instructions in Provider Reimbursement Manual Part 2, Chapter 43.
It is one of the most consequential financial documents your hospice files. We prepare the report, our CPAs review it, and we file it electronically through MCReF to your Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC).
Medicare cost reports
Flat pricing for every cost report.
No hourly billing. You know the fee before we start.
$500 for no-utilization reports
- Preparation of your complete Medicare cost report
- Prepared and reviewed by CPAs
- Electronic filing through MCReF with your MAC
- 72-hour turnaround once your documents are complete
When is my hospice cost report due?
Your cost report is due on or before the last day of the fifth month after your cost reporting period ends (42 CFR 413.24(f)). Your MAC may grant an extension only for extraordinary circumstances outside your control.
If you do not file a timely, acceptable cost report, Medicare payments are suspended in whole or in part until one is filed and accepted (42 CFR 405.371). For more on timing, read when the Medicare cost report is due.
Is the hospice aggregate cap part of the cost report?
No. The hospice aggregate cap is a separate filing with a separate due date. Your hospice determines its own aggregate cap and files it with your MAC no later than five months after the end of the cap period, then remits any overpayment. The cap period is the twelve months ending September 30, so October 1 through September 30. Your MAC then notifies you of its final determination (42 CFR 418.308).
Payments above the cap are overpayments that must be refunded, and the FY 2027 cap amount is $36,174.75 according to the CMS FY 2027 hospice final rule fact sheet.
Our flat fee covers preparing and filing the cost report. Cap review is a separate service. If you want us to review your cap position alongside the cost report, raise it on the free call. To see how the cap works, read the hospice aggregate cap explained.
Do I file a no-, low-, or full-utilization report?
The form uses the same indicator for each type: F (full), L (low), or N (no Medicare utilization). We confirm which one you file on your free call.
No utilization
Your hospice furnished no covered services to Medicare beneficiaries during the entire cost reporting period. Flat fee: $500.
Low utilization
Your hospice had low Medicare utilization, and your MAC must approve filing less than a full report. Flat fee: $1,599.99.
Full utilization
Your hospice does not qualify for the no- or low-utilization report, so the full cost report is required. Flat fee: $1,599.99.
What do I need to give you?
We confirm the exact list on your free call and send a preparation checklist when we begin. Typically we ask for:
- Your PS&R (Provider Statistical & Reimbursement) report
- Your trial balance or year-end financial statements
- Payroll records and statistics that support your cost data
- Your depreciation schedule or fixed asset listing
- Your prior-year cost report and any MAC correspondence
The 72-hour turnaround starts once your documents are complete.
How does hospice cost report filing work?
- 01Free 20-minute call: we confirm your fiscal year end, deadline, MAC, and utilization type.
- 02You send the documents on our checklist.
- 03We prepare the report and our CPAs review it. Turnaround is 72 hours once your documents are complete.
- 04You review it, and we file the electronic cost report through MCReF to your MAC.
What happens next
- 01
Free 20-minute call
Tell Christian about your agency and what is on your plate. No pitch deck, no pressure.
- 02
Written fee quote
You get a clear written quote for the work before we start. No surprises.
- 03
We handle it
Your CPA team takes it from there and keeps you posted until it is filed.
Client reviews
What our clients say
5.0 from 15 Google reviews
“Soriaga & Associates LLC has expertly handled our Medicare Cost Report preparation and filing for several years. They are reliable professionals ensuring compliance and efficiency in filling out cost reports. They respond quickly to emails and provide proactive support.”
FAQ
Hospice cost report FAQs
Still have questions? Ask them on a free 20-minute call.
What is the CMS-1984-14?
CMS-1984-14 is the Medicare cost report form for freestanding hospices. Hospital-based hospices file CMS-2552, skilled nursing facility-based hospices file CMS-2540, and home health agency-based hospices file CMS-1728.
Who has to file a hospice cost report?
Medicare-certified hospices must file an annual cost report with their Medicare Administrative Contractor. We confirm which form and report type apply to your hospice on the free call.
When is the hospice cost report due?
On or before the last day of the fifth month after your cost reporting period ends. Extensions are allowed only for extraordinary circumstances outside your control, at your MAC's discretion.
What happens if I file my hospice cost report late?
If you do not file a timely, acceptable cost report, Medicare payments are suspended in whole or in part until one is filed and accepted (42 CFR 405.371). If your deadline is close or has passed, book a call right away so we can tell you where you stand.
How much does a hospice cost report cost?
We charge flat fees: $1,599.99 for a low- or full-utilization report and $500 for a no-utilization report. You know the fee before we start, with no hourly billing.
Is the hospice aggregate cap part of the cost report?
No. The cap is a separate filing. Your hospice determines its own aggregate cap and files it with your MAC within five months after the cap period ends. The cap period runs October 1 through September 30. Cap review is separate from our flat-fee cost report, and we can discuss it on your free call.
What is the FY 2027 hospice cap amount?
$36,174.75, according to CMS's fact sheet on the FY 2027 hospice payment rate update, effective October 1, 2026. It applies to the cap period that begins October 1, 2026.
What is the difference between a no-, low-, and full-utilization report?
No utilization means your hospice furnished no covered services to Medicare beneficiaries during the entire period. Low-utilization reports require approval from your MAC. A full report is required otherwise. We confirm which type you file on the free call.
How long does preparation take?
We can turn your report around in 72 hours once your documents are complete. We confirm exactly what we need on your free call and provide a preparation checklist when we begin.
How is the hospice cost report filed?
We file the electronic cost report (ECR) through MCReF, the CMS portal, to your Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC).
What if my previous hospice cost report had errors?
We assist hospices with amended filings and audit support. Amended and prior-year reports are quoted on your free 20-minute call, so contact us to discuss your situation.
Do you prepare hospice cost reports outside Illinois?
Yes. We prepare Medicare cost reports for hospices nationwide and file to your MAC wherever it is.
Sources
Regulatory facts on this page come from these sources, checked on October 2, 2026:
- CMS Provider Reimbursement Manual Part 2, Chapter 43: instructions for Form CMS-1984-14
- 42 CFR 413.24: due date and extensions
- 42 CFR 405.371: suspension of payments
- 42 CFR 418.308: the hospice aggregate cap filing
- 42 CFR 418.3: definition of the cap period
- CMS FY 2027 hospice final rule fact sheet: FY 2027 cap amount
- CMS MCReF page: electronic filing to your MAC
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On the call we’ll cover
- Your situation and what is due next
- Deadlines and filing status
- A clear written fee quote
- Clear next steps, no obligation
Christian Soriaga, CPA
Soriaga & Associates, LLC