Hospitals’ occupational mix data using the new 2010 survey form is due to fiscal intermediaries (FIs) and Medicare administrative contractors (MACs) by July 1, 2011. The new survey, Form CMS-10079 (2010), collects data from the 2010 calendar year and will be applied beginning with the fiscal year (FY) 2013 wage index.

CMS is required by statute, 42 U.S.C. § 1395ww(d)(3)(E), to collect this data every three years. The purpose of the data is to establish an occupational mix adjustment for the wage index. This adjustment is intended to control for the effect of hospital employment choices, on the theory that a costly skill mix of employees reflects management choices rather than geographic differences in the costs of labor, and that such management choices should not be reflected in the wage index.