About PEPPER / Distribution Schedule - Get Your PEPPER

Distribution Schedule - How to Get Your PEPPER

Provider Type	Distribution Schedule	Distribution Method	Training & Resources	Portal Access	To Receive PEPPER Updates
Short-Term Acute Care Hospitals	Quarterly On or about: December 3, 2021 March 7, 2022 June 3, 2022 September 2, 2022	The PEPPER Portal	Click Here	Portal Access Instructions	Join Our Email List
Critical Access Hospitals	April 5, 2022	The PEPPER Portal	Click Here	Portal Access Instructions	Join Our Email List
Home Health Agencies	July 11, 2022	The PEPPER Portal	Click Here	Portal Access Instructions	Join Our Email List
Hospices	April 5, 2022	The PEPPER Portal	Click Here	Portal Access Instructions	Join Our Email List
Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities	April 5, 2022	The PEPPER Portal	Click Here	Portal Access Instructions	Join Our Email List
Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities	April 5, 2022	The PEPPER Portal	Click Here	Portal Access Instructions	Join Our Email List
Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals	April 5, 2022	The PEPPER Portal	Click Here	Portal Access Instructions	Join Our Email List
Partial Hospitalization Programs	July 11, 2022	The PEPPER Portal	Click Here	Portal Access Instructions	Join Our Email List
Skilled Nursing Facilities	April 5, 2022 *SNFs that are part of a critical access hospital will not receive PEPPER	The PEPPER Portal	Click Here	Portal Access Instructions	Join Our Email List

To access the portal, requestors will be asked for the following information:

6-digit CMS certification number (also referred to as provider number or PTAN) *This is *not* the same number as the tax identification number or national provider identification number.
One of the following:
- A patient control number (found at form locator 03a on the UB04 claim form)
- A medical record number (found at form locator 03b on the UB04 claim form) for a traditional fee-for-service Medicare Part A patient who received services at the provider during the specified PEPPER data time period.

PEPPERs remain accessible for approximately two years from the original release date. Providers do not need to register to obtain the report. Access to the PEPPER is restricted to approved administrator and compliance positions.

The portal was designed to meet CMS security standards protect the sensitive data within the report, and to comply with guidance from legal counsel. The PEPPER Team is committed to ensuring and maintaining the confidentiality of each provider’s PEPPER thanks you for your understanding and cooperation.

Provider Type	Portal Access
Short-Term Acute Care Hospitals	Requestors will be required to enter their six-digit CMS certification number (i.e., CCN, provider number, PTAN). The third digit of this number will be “0.” Validation codes are emailed to the HARP Security Administrator(s) on file. If your facility has a distinct part unit for an IPF, IRF, SNF, or PHP, your PEPPERs will be available in the same folder as your ST PEPPER in the portal. Use your short-term acute care hospital provider number (the third digit will be “0”) when entering your CCN.
Critical Access Hospitals	Requestors will be required to enter their six-digit CMS certification number (i.e., CCN, provider number, PTAN). The third digit of this number will be a “1.” Validation codes are emailed to the HARP Security Administrator(s) on file. If your facility has a distinct part unit for an IPF or IRF, your PEPPERs will be available in the same folder as your CAH PEPPER in the portal. Use your CAH provider number (the third digit will be “1”) when entering your CCN.
Home Health Agencies	Requestors will be required to enter their six-digit CMS certification number (i.e., CCN, provider number, PTAN). The third digit of this number will be a “3,” “7,” “8,” or “9.” For HHA PEPPER (version Q4CY21) — available on or around July 11, 2022 — requestors will be required to enter a validation code. This will be either a patient control number (found at form locator 03a on the UB-04 claim form) or a medical record number (found at form locator 03b on the UB-04 claim form) for a traditional Medicare Part A Fee-for-Service patient who received services from Oct. 1, 2020, through Dec. 31, 2020 (“from” or “through” dates on a paid claim). Additionally, as a second option, a contact from the Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS) will be sent an email and provided with a validation code to use to access the PEPPER from the portal. The validation code may be shared with others in the agency as deemed appropriate.
Hospices	Requestors will be required to enter their six-digit CMS certification number (i.e., CCN, provider number, PTAN). The third digit of this number will be a “1.” For Hospice PEPPER (version Q4FY21) — available on or around April 5, 2022 — requestors will be required to enter a validation code. This will be either a patient control number (found at form locator 03a on the UB-04 claim form) or a medical record number (found at form locator 03b on the UB-04 claim form) for a traditional Medicare Part A Fee-for-Service patient who received services from July 1, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2020 (“from” or “through” dates on a paid claim). Additionally, as a second option, a contact from the Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS) will be sent an email and provided with a validation code to use to access the PEPPER from the portal. The validation code may be shared with others in the hospice as deemed appropriate.
Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities	Requestors will be required to enter their six-digit CMS certification number (i.e., CCN, provider number, PTAN). The third digit of this number will be a “4.” Validation codes are emailed to the HARP Security Administrator(s) on file. IPFs that are distinct part units of short-term acute care hospitals or CAHs will use the validation codes provided to the HARP Security Administrators to access their PEPPER from the portal. If your facility has a PHP, your PEPPER will be available in the same folder as your IPF PEPPER in the portal. Use your IPF provider number (the third digit will be “4”) when entering your CCN.
Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities	Requestors will be required to enter their six-digit CMS certification number (i.e., CCN, provider number, PTAN). The third digit of this number for a freestanding IRF will be a “3.” For freestanding IRFs, requestors will be required to enter a validation code. This will be either a patient control number (found at form locator 03a on the UB-04 claim form) or a medical record number (found at form locator 03b on the UB-04 claim form) for a traditional Medicare Part A Fee-for-Service patient who received services from July 1, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2020 (“from” or “through” dates on a paid claim). IRFs that are distinct part units of short-term acute care hospitals or critical access hospitals will use the validation codes provided to HARP Security Administrators to access their PEPPER from the PEPPER Portal. If your facility has a PHP, your PEPPER will be available in the same folder as your IRF PEPPER in the portal. Use your IRF provider number (the third digit will be “3”) when entering your CCN.
Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals	Requestors will be required to enter their six-digit CMS certification number (i.e., CCN, provider number, PTAN). The third digit of this number will be a “2,” For LT PEPPER (version Q4FY21) — available on or around April 5, 2022 — requestors will be required to enter a validation code. This will be either a patient control number (found at form locator 03a on the UB-04 claim form) or a medical record number (found at form locator 03b on the UB-04 claim form) for a traditional Medicare Part A Fee-for-Service patient who received services from July 1, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2020 (“from” or “through” dates on a paid claim). Additionally, as a second option, a contact from the Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS) will be sent an email and provided with a validation code to use to access the PEPPER from the portal. The validation code may be shared with others in the hospital as deemed appropriate.
Partial Hospitalization Programs	Requestors will be required to enter their six-digit CMS certification number (i.e., CCN, provider number, PTAN). The third digit of this number will be a “1,” “2,’ “3,” or “4.” For PHP PEPPER (version Q4CY21) — available on or around July 11, 2022 — requestors will be required to enter a validation code. This will be either a patient control number (found at form locator 03a on the UB-04 claim form) or a medical record number (found at form locator 03b on the UB-04 claim form) for a traditional Medicare Part A Fee-for-Service patient who received services from Oct. 1, 2020, through Dec. 31, 2020 (“from” or “through” dates on a paid claim). Additionally, as a second option, a contact from the Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS) will be sent an email and provided with a validation code to use to access the PEPPER from the portal. The validation code may be shared with others in the program as deemed appropriate. PHPs that are associated with short-term acute care hospitals or inpatient psychiatric facilities will use validation codes provided to HARP Security Administrators to access their PEPPER from the PEPPER Portal.
Skilled Nursing Facilities	Requestors will be required to enter their six-digit CMS certification number (i.e., CCN, provider number, PTAN). The third digit of this number will be a “5” or “6.” For SNF PEPPER (version Q4FY21) — available on or around April 5, 2022 — requestors will be required to enter a validation code. This will be either a patient control number (found at form locator 03a on the UB-04 claim form) or a medical record number (found at form locator 03b on the UB-04 claim form) for a traditional Medicare Part A Fee-for-Service patient who received services from July 1, 2020, through Sept. 30, 2020 (“from” or “through” dates on a paid claim). Additionally, as a second option, a contact from the Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS) will be sent an email and provided with a validation code to use to access the PEPPER from the portal. The validation code may be shared with others in the facility as deemed appropriate. SNFs that are swing-bed units of short-term acute care hospitals will use validation codes provided to HARP Security Administrators to access their PEPPER from the PEPPER Portal.