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

This final rule responds to comments on the May 25, 1994, final rule with comment period that implemented a standardized electronic cost reporting system for all hospitals under the Medicare program. In that rule, we solicited comments on the requirement that cost reporting software be able to detect changes made to the electronic file after the provider has submitted it to the fiscal intermediary. This final rule responds to comments on that requirement and clarifies that although changes to the "as-filed" electronic cost report are prohibited, an intermediary makes a working copy of the as-filed electronic cost report for use in the settlement process.