100+ Free CCRS Cost Report Specialist Practice Questions

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What is the official CMS form number used by institutional providers to file their Medicare cost report?

CMS-1500

CMS-2552

CMS-1450

CMS-855A

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CCRS Cost Report Specialist Exam

100

Exam Questions

AIHC

Exam Duration

AIHC

80%

Passing Score

AIHC

Open-note

Testing Format

AIHC

92%

First-Attempt Pass Rate

AIHC (within 3 months of camp)

6 CEUs/yr

Maintenance Requirement

AIHC

AIHC's CCRS exam is a 100-question, open-note, 3-hour online proctored certification requiring 80% to pass. It tests five domains covering allowable bad debt, eFiling, PS&R reports, compliance, and general cost report concepts. The first-attempt pass rate is 92% when taken within 3 months of completing the Medicare Cost Report Training Camp.

Sample CCRS Cost Report Specialist Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CCRS Cost Report Specialist exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the official CMS form number used by institutional providers to file their Medicare cost report?

A.CMS-1500

B.CMS-2552

C.CMS-1450

D.CMS-855A

Explanation: CMS-2552 (formerly HCFA-2552) is the official cost report form used by hospitals and other institutional providers to report costs and statistical data to Medicare. CMS-1500 is the professional claim form, CMS-1450 (UB-04) is the institutional claim form, and CMS-855A is the Medicare enrollment application. Exam Tip: Always associate CMS-2552 with cost reporting — it is the backbone of the entire cost report process.

2Which entity is responsible for receiving, reviewing, and auditing Medicare cost reports submitted by providers?

A.Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

B.Office of Inspector General (OIG)

C.Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs)

D.Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Explanation: Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) are the entities that receive, process, review, and audit Medicare cost reports on behalf of CMS. While CMS sets the rules and oversees the program, MACs handle the day-to-day operations of cost report processing and settlement. Exam Tip: MACs replaced the old fiscal intermediaries — know this terminology distinction.

3What is the standard filing deadline for a Medicare cost report after a provider's fiscal year ends?

A.90 days

B.120 days

C.150 days

D.180 days

Explanation: Medicare cost reports must be filed within 150 days (5 months) after the end of the provider's fiscal year. Late filing can result in suspension of interim payments and other penalties. Extensions may be granted in certain circumstances but must be requested before the deadline. Exam Tip: Remember 150 days — this is a frequently tested number on the CCRS exam.

4Which worksheet in the CMS-2552 contains the provider's certification statement and is signed by an officer or administrator?

A.Worksheet A

B.Worksheet S

C.Worksheet D

D.Worksheet E

Explanation: Worksheet S (Settlement) contains the certification page where an authorized officer or administrator certifies the accuracy and completeness of the cost report. The certification warns that misrepresentation may result in criminal, civil, and administrative penalties. Exam Tip: Worksheet S is sometimes called the 'front page' of the cost report — it must have an original signature, not a facsimile.

5What does PS&R stand for in the context of Medicare reimbursement?

A.Provider Statistical & Reimbursement

B.Payment Summary & Reconciliation

C.Program Settlement & Review

D.Provider Services & Revenue

Explanation: PS&R stands for Provider Statistical & Reimbursement report. It is a CMS system that tracks interim payments made to providers and is used to reconcile these payments against the final cost report settlement. The PS&R is essential for identifying overpayments and underpayments. Exam Tip: The PS&R is your primary tool for verifying that interim payments match actual costs — study its components carefully.

6Which of the following is an allowable cost on a Medicare cost report?

A.Country club memberships for hospital executives

B.Salaries of nurses providing patient care

C.Political contributions made by the hospital

D.Advertising to attract new patients

Explanation: Salaries and wages of staff directly involved in patient care, such as nurses, are allowable costs on the Medicare cost report. Country club memberships, political contributions, and most advertising costs are considered non-allowable costs under Medicare reimbursement principles. Exam Tip: If a cost is directly related to patient care and is reasonable in amount, it is generally allowable.

7What is the primary purpose of cost allocation in the Medicare cost report?

A.To maximize the provider's profit margin

B.To distribute overhead and indirect costs to revenue-producing departments

C.To reduce the number of worksheets filed

D.To calculate employee bonuses

Explanation: Cost allocation distributes overhead and indirect costs (like administration, housekeeping, and utilities) to revenue-producing departments that generate patient charges. This process ensures Medicare pays its fair share of both direct and indirect costs. Exam Tip: Cost allocation is the core mechanism of the cost report — understand step-down allocation thoroughly.

8What is the step-down method of cost allocation?

A.A method where costs flow only between revenue-producing departments

B.A sequential method where overhead costs are allocated from non-revenue departments to revenue departments, and once allocated a department is closed

C.A method where all departments allocate costs simultaneously

D.A method used exclusively for outpatient services

Explanation: The step-down method allocates costs sequentially from non-revenue (overhead) departments to revenue-producing departments. Once a department's costs have been allocated, that department is 'closed' and does not receive any further allocations. The order of allocation matters and is typically based on the department that provides the most services to other departments. Exam Tip: The step-down method is also called the 'waterfall' method — costs flow one way, never back up.

9Which of the following best describes 'double apportionment' in cost reporting?

A.Filing two cost reports in the same fiscal year

B.Allocating costs twice — first among overhead departments, then from overhead to revenue departments

C.Reporting the same cost on two different worksheets

D.Doubling the cost of capital expenses for depreciation

Explanation: Double apportionment is a two-stage cost allocation process. First, overhead costs are allocated among the non-revenue departments themselves, then the accumulated overhead costs are allocated to the revenue-producing departments. This is more accurate than single step-down because it recognizes that overhead departments serve each other. Exam Tip: Double apportionment is more complex than step-down but gives a more accurate picture of true departmental costs.

10Under Medicare rules, what constitutes a 'bad debt' that may be claimed on the cost report?

A.Any unpaid patient balance regardless of collection effort

B.Amounts owed by Medicare beneficiaries that remain uncollected after reasonable collection efforts

C.Revenue lost due to charity care programs

D.Contractual adjustments from insurance companies

Explanation: Medicare bad debts are specifically amounts owed by Medicare beneficiaries (deductibles and coinsurance) that remain uncollected after the provider has made reasonable collection efforts. Charity care, contractual adjustments, and uncollected amounts from non-Medicare patients do not qualify as Medicare bad debts. Exam Tip: The three-part test requires the debt to be related to covered services, the beneficiary must have been billed, and reasonable collection efforts must have been made.

About the CCRS Cost Report Specialist Exam

The CCRS credential from the American Institute of Healthcare Compliance (AIHC) validates expertise in Medicare cost report preparation and compliance. The certification covers the CMS-2552 cost report form, allowable and non-allowable costs, Medicare bad debts, cost allocation methods, the Provider Statistical and Reimbursement (PS&R) report, electronic filing requirements, and compliance obligations under the False Claims Act. CCRS-certified professionals work in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, hospice organizations, and other Medicare-certified institutional providers.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

80%

Exam Fee

$75 per attempt (exam only); camp tuition $895 separate (AIHC)

CCRS Cost Report Specialist Exam Content Outline

20%

Allowable Bad Debt

Medicare bad debt requirements, reasonable collection efforts, dual-eligible beneficiaries, charity care vs. bad debt, and allowable cost principles

20%

eFiling Your Cost Report

Electronic cost report filing requirements, CMS-approved vendors, ECR specifications, Level 1 edits, certification page (Worksheet S), and submission deadlines

20%

Provider Statistical and Reimbursement System (PS&R)

PS&R report analysis, interim payment reconciliation, tentative settlement, final settlement, overpayment/underpayment identification, and Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs)

20%

Compliance and Cost Reporting

False Claims Act implications, OIG compliance guidance, internal auditing and monitoring, HIPAA considerations in cost reporting, and accuracy obligations

20%

General Cost Report Concepts, Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Terms

Foundational cost reporting terminology, CMS-2552 form structure, cost allocation methods (step-down, double apportionment), allowable vs. non-allowable costs, and Medicare reimbursement principles

How to Pass the CCRS Cost Report Specialist Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 80%
Exam length: 100 questions
Time limit: 3 hours
Exam fee: $75 per attempt (exam only); camp tuition $895 separate

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CCRS Cost Report Specialist Study Tips from Top Performers

1Organize your open-note materials before exam day — download all course documents and practice using Ctrl+F to search key terms and phrases quickly during the exam

2Master the five CMS-2552 worksheet series (S, A, B, C, D, E) and understand which data elements flow between worksheets

3Study Medicare bad debt rules thoroughly, especially the three-part test for allowable bad debts and special rules for dual-eligible beneficiaries

4Review the PS&R report format and understand how interim payments reconcile against final cost report settlements

5Practice with the mock exam included in your training to calibrate your pacing for the 3-hour time limit — time management is critical with 100 questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AIHC CCRS exam format?

The CCRS exam is a 100-question, open-note, 3-hour online proctored certification exam. Questions include multiple choice, true/false, and fill-in formats. You need 80% or higher to pass. The exam is taken remotely by appointment with a professional proctor.

What are the prerequisites for the CCRS certification?

You must complete AIHC's Medicare Cost Report Training Camp (a 2-day live event) or the equivalent online training program before taking the CCRS exam. Basic knowledge of Medicare cost report preparation and some experience gathering information or preparing cost reports for an institutional healthcare organization is recommended.

What topics are tested on the CCRS exam?

The exam covers five domains: Allowable Bad Debt, eFiling Your Cost Report, Provider Statistical and Reimbursement System (PS&R), Compliance and Cost Reporting, and General Cost Report Concepts, Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Terms.

How much does the CCRS certification cost?

The certification exam costs $75 per attempt, with up to 3 total attempts permitted. The Medicare Cost Report Training Camp (required prerequisite) costs $895 separately. The exam fee is not included in the camp tuition.

What is the CCRS exam pass rate?

AIHC reports a 92% first-attempt pass rate for candidates who take the exam within 3 months of completing the Medicare Cost Report Training Camp. The pass rate for online course completers who take the exam within 3 months is 85%.

How do I maintain my CCRS credential?

CCRS holders must earn 6 continuing education units (CEUs) annually to maintain the credential. AIHC offers a free 50-question online renewal exam to earn your required CEUs, and also accepts CPEs and relevant CEUs from other professional organizations.