The Review Choice Demonstration (RCD) for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) Services provides flexibility and choice for IRFs, as well as a risk-based approach to reduce burden on providers demonstrating compliance with Medicare IRF rules. IRFs will initially select between two review choices:

• Choice 1: Pre-claim review
• Choice 2: Postpayment review

After a 6-month period, IRFs demonstrating compliance with Medicare rules through their pre-claim review affirmation rate or postpayment review approval rate will have additional review choices to select from.  IRFs may select from one of the three subsequent review choices:

• Choice 1: Continue with Pre-Claim Review
• Choice 3: Selective Postpayment Review
• Choice 4: Spot Check Prepayment Review

This program reduces the number of Medicare appeals, improves provider compliance with Medicare program rules, does not alter the Medicare IRF benefit, and should not delay care to Medicare beneficiaries.  This RCD protects our programs' sustainability for future generations by serving as a responsible steward of public funds.

Please send questions to IRF_RCD@cms.hhs.gov.

Updates are provided in reverse chronological order; scroll down for earlier updates.

Update 10/19/2023:

Given the importance of transparency in our medical review activities, CMS is providing an IRF RCD Medical Review Checklist (PDF) and an IRF RCD Beneficiary Fact Sheet (PDF).

The Review Checklist is intended to compliment the Review Guidelines and help providers ensure the submission of required documentation.

The Beneficiary Fact Sheet is intended to help provide additional explanation to beneficiaries regarding the decision letters received via mail during the IRF RCD. Please feel free to print copies of the Beneficiary Fact Sheet and provide the handout to the beneficiary during their IRF stay.

Update 06/26/2023:
Special Open Door Forum

CMS hosted a Special Open Door Forum call to discuss the Review Choice Demonstration for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility services on Tuesday, June 27 from 1:00-2:30 pm Eastern Time.  The presentation can be found here (PDF) as well as in the downloads section below. 

Update 05/15/2023:

Beginning August 21, 2023, CMS implemented the Review Choice Demonstration (RCD) for IRF services in Alabama. IRF providers can make their review choice selection of either 100% pre-claim review or 100% postpayment review at the Palmetto GBA Provider Portal on the following dates:

Selection Period Start Date: July 7, 2023

Selection Period End Date: August 6, 2023

CMS will update this website with additional resources in the coming weeks.