CMS to Pause CBR and PEPPER Reports Through Fall 2024

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will temporarily pause distributing Comparative Billing Reports (CBRs) and Program to Evaluate Payment Patterns Electronic Reports (PEPPERs). This pause will allow CMS to improve and update the program and reporting system and will remain in effect through the fall of 2024.  
 
Due to the importance of these reports, CMS is dedicated to enhance the quality and accessibility of the reports. CMS will release a Request for Information (RFI) to obtain information from providers about how the program can better serve the sector. 
 
PEPPER provides provider-specific Medicare data for services vulnerable to improper payments. It can be used as a guide for auditing and monitoring efforts to help providers identify and prevent payment errors.  
 
A CBR provides data on Medicare billing trends, allowing a health care provider to compare their billing practices to peers in the same state and across the nation. A CBR educates providers about Medicare’s coverage, coding, and billing rules and acts as a self-audit tool for providers. 
 
Please visit the CBR or PEPPER website for periodic updates. If you have any further questions please send them to Medicaremedicalreview@cms.hhs.gov.     

Source: AHCA/NCAL