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MES Certification Repository

Encounter Processing System (EPS) & Managed Care System

How this system supports the Medicaid Program

Encounter Processing Systems ingest encounter data (submissions and re-submissions) from MCOs and sends quality transaction feedback back to the plans to ensure appropriate industry standard format. The systems support the tracking of MCO submission requirements and allow the state to enforce consequences for non-compliance. The systems also support payment comparisons and cost of care analysis.


CMS-Required Outcomes

Each CMS-Required outcome is based on statutory or regulatory requirements. CMS-Required Outcomes and Metrics are used to demonstrate that a system is compliant with the applicable federal regulations which pertain to that specific system or module. CMS-Required outcomes form the baseline for system/module functionality, which must continue to receive enhanced federal funding for operations.

Reference # CMS Required Outcomes Default Metrics Regulatory Sources
EPS1 The system ingests encounter data (submissions and re-submissions) from MCOs and sends quality transaction feedback back to the plans to ensure appropriate industry standard format. (Quality transaction checks include, but are not limited to: completeness, missing information, formatting, and the TR3 implementation guide business rules validations). - Percentage of timely encounter submissions from MCOs. 42 CFR 438.242
EPS2 The system ingests encounter data (submissions and re-submissions) from managed care entities in compliance with HIPAA security and privacy standards and performing quality checks for completeness and accuracy before submitting to CMS using standardized formatting, such as ASC X12N 837, NCPDP and the ASC X12N 835, as appropriate. (Quality checks include, but are not limited to completeness, character types, missing information, formatting, duplicates, and business rules validations, such as payment to dis-enrolled providers, etc.). - Percentage state receives timely encounter re-submissions from MCOs. 42 CFR 438.604, 438.818, and 438.242
EPS3 The state includes submission requirements (timeliness, re-submissions, etc.), definitions, data specifications and standards, and consequences for non-compliance in its managed care contracts. The state enforces consequences for non-compliance.  - This is a state specific requirement, for the most part, states have encounters submission/re-submission processes based on 30/60/90/180 days and 365 days. 42 CFR Part 438.3
EPS4 The state uses encounter data to calculate capitation rates and performs payment comparisons with FFS claims data. - State can validate that solution supports capability to set and edit capitation targets – Pass/Fail
- State can validate that solution supports the capability to flag cases where MCO payments exceed FFS upper limit – Pass/Fail
42 CFR Part 438
EPS5 The state complies with federal reporting requirements. - SMA submits federal reports in a timely, and agreed upon, manner – Pass/Fail
- Reports are those currently required by applicable federal regulations, state plans, waivers etc. This include, but are not limited to:
- T-MSIS (monthly)
- CMS 416 (monthly)
- CHIPRA core set (quarterly)
- CMS 37 (biannually)
- CMS 372 (semi-annually)
- CMS 64 (quarterly)
42 CFR 438.818, 438.242

State-Specific Outcomes - CMS Approved

States requesting enhanced FFP for systems that fulfill state-specific program needs, beyond minimum legal requirements and the baseline of the CMS-required outcomes, should propose State-Specific Outcomes which address the proposed enhancements.

When drafting state-specific outcomes statements, keep these tips in mind.

Examples for Encounter Processing Systems

We are actively gathering and evaluating outcomes statements crafted by states for this business area.

Please send examples from your state that you’d like to share to MESCertificationRepo@cms.hhs.gov. Our team will collect and share the best examples.

State Medicaid Program Goal Outcome Statement Metric(s)