The American Health Care Association has developed a 
Medicare rate calculator (please maximize screen to view tabs after opening) for rates effective October 1, 2010. The calculator will convert the Medicare patient days for any time period from a RUG-III classification system to a RUG-IV classification system. The transition from the RUG-III to RUG-IV system is based on data obtained from the STRIVE study conducted by CMS to revise the nursing time used in the Medicare SNF Prospective Payment System.
To prepare the rate estimate, please take the following steps on the “Inputs and Results” tab of the Excel spreadsheet:
- Enter your facility name.
- Select your facility location in the drop-down menu on the line “Facility Location (CBSA)”.
- Enter the time period that covers the Medicare patient days by RUG category for your facility.
- Enter the Medicare patient days by RUG category.
The difference between the average Medicare rate for fiscal year 2011, effective October 1, 2010, and the average Medicare rate for fiscal year 2010, effective October 1, 2009, will be expressed in dollar and percentage amounts.
The information contained in the “Inputs and Results” and “Rate Calculation” tabs may be printed.
For assistance or questions, please contact Bill Hartung at (202) 898-2841, or whartung@ahca.org.