1. Requirements for Establishing a Work Center for MEPRS/EAS
Is this a Work Center?
PERSONNEL
WORKLOAD
Expenses
Establishing a work center requires knowledge of your activity’s operation (mission and function), levels of inpatient and outpatient workload, financial status, and coordination of various departments – Accounting/Budget, Manpower, CHCS Administrator, MEPRS/EAS, DQ Team, and Comptroller.
Requirements for Establishing a Work Center for MEPRS/EAS

2. Executing with Precision
Timely, Complete, & Accurate Submission of EAS IV Data
System Access
Source Data
EAS IV Input
EAS IV Repository/MEWACS
Continuing with the theme of Executing with Precision, we will discuss the requirements for establishing a work center in a medical or dental treatment facility.

3. Rules for Work Center Establishment
The DoD M (MEPRS Manual) outlines the general requirements for the establishment of a work center
All MTFs and DTFs must establish work centers in accordance with these requirements and with BUMED service level guidance
Before proceeding, review the DoD MEPRS Manual requirements for a work center and review the BUMED guidance.

4. Work Center vs. Cost Center
A work center is:
A discrete functional or organizational subdivision of an MTF for which provision is made to collect and measure expenses and determine workload performance
A cost center is:
A discrete functional or organizational subdivision of an MTF that provides services, such as utilities, but does not generate workload
The difference between the work center and the cost center is workload. CHCS/AHLTA is the workload collection system and Coding is the mechanism by which the workload is collected for clinical work centers. Work centers in MEPRS are not established merely to collect workload, but to reflect the discrete function of a separate organizational unit that produces work. For example, a MTF may have an Internal Medicine Clinic (BAA*) which produces approximately 20 dermatology visits per month. The dermatology work is visible via the CPT coding, so it is neither necessary nor desirable to establish a BAP* Dermatology work center in this case.

5. DoD Work Center Requirements
Normally operate 16 hours or more per month
Has identifiable expenses
Has allocated physical space
Has allocated or assigned manpower.
Has a valid work output
Uses a valid workload measure
Services provided or expenses incurred are unique when compared to other established work centers
Is compatible with the MTF organizational structure
Facilitates the management decision-making process
These are the general requirements for establishing a work center from the MEPRS Manual.

6. BUMED Work Center Additions
BUMED M-84 has also established the following requirements:
For Inpatient, there should be more than 10 admissions per month
For Outpatient, there should be more than 30 visits per month.
Note: for all work centers and costs centers, unique expenses must be incurred. A work center must have a separate Operating Target (OPTAR) established.
BUMED has established Inpatient admission requirements and Outpatient Visit thresholds.
In terms of Ancillaries, there are no thresholds. Workload should be reviewed and how the work center is actually set up to guide your decision.

7. What’s the EAS Requirement
Quality Data in EAS requires correct alignment of:
Manpower data
Workload data
Cost data
Source system file and table alignment is the key
DMHRSi for Manpower
CHCS for Workload
STARS/FL and FASTDATA for Cost Data
DMLSS for square footage
In order to have quality data for MEPRS reporting, you must align workload, manpower, and cost data.

8. Setting up the Work Center
Determine the valid FCC/MEPRS
Establish Accounting data in FASTDATA
Align the source system tables
DMHRSi – must have a valid project & task for labor reporting
EAS – update the ASD table and determine includes/excludes
CHCS – add to Site Definable Table, Clinic Location Table, and Provider File
DMLSS – enter square footage
If all the requirements are met to establish a work center at your MTF or DTF, begin the process by :
Determine the MEPRS
JON
Orgs & Task
CHCS
Square Footage
Includes and Excludes as required.
Important points:
Know your command operation
Work with your Data Quality Team

9. What if the Requirements for a Work Center Are Not Met?
Your Work Center has
less than 10 admissions per month, or
Less than 30 visits per month
then
Report the workload within the specialty MEPRS code
For example, if Inpatient Otorhinolaryngology (MEPRS code ABG*) has an average of three admissions per month, the workload is to be collected within the inpatient General Surgery (MEPRS code ABAA) work center. In another example, if outpatient Otorhinolaryngology (MEPRS code BBF*) has an average of fifteen visits per month, that workload should be collected in the General Surgery (MEPRS code BBA*) work center. If there is any question establishing of a work center, the activity should contact their Regional Manager for assistance and final approval.
How do you respond to Dr. Smith when he comes to you about workload.
- M2
- Appointment Types
Work with the DQAT Team to get buy in and provide education to the involved parties to avoid push back. Be proactive, anticipate and address.

10. Coordination is the Key
Accounting & Finance
Data Quality Team
Coordinate the establishment of the work center with your command’s DQAT.
CHCS DBA
MEPRS/EAS
Clinical Champion
Manpower/HR

11. Success Depends on all the Pieces Coming Together
Success depends on all the pieces coming together and aligning correctly.

12. Timely, Complete, & Accurate Submission of EAS IV Data
Achieving the Goal
Timely, Complete, & Accurate Submission of EAS IV Data

13. Questions on Work Center Establishment
Contact your Regional MEPRS Representative for guidance and direction.
NME: Ms. Crystal Jefferson
(757) DSN
NMW: Mr. Nick Coppola
(619) DSN
NCA: Ms. Patricia Huston
(301)

14. Points of Contact Government POC
Colleen Rees,
CAI Team
Nicole Meyers,
ext. 601
Randy Van Nostrand,
ext. 602
Kate Burchess,
ext 104
Bonnie Rehbein,
ext. 603
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

15. Questions
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY