Medicare program; electronic submission of cost reports. Final rule.

This final rule amends regulation by requiring that, for cost reporting periods ending on or after December 31, 2004, all hospices, organ procurement organizations, rural health clinics, Federally qualified health centers, community mental health centers, and end-stage renal disease facilities must submit cost reports currently required under the Medicare regulations in a standardized electronic format. This rule also allows a delay or waiver of this requirement when implementation would result in financial hardship for a provider. The provisions of this rule allow for more accurate preparation and more efficient processing of cost reports.