Formal request submitted for processing at the beginning of a 60-day home health episode after a physician evaluates a Medicare beneficiary’s condition and assigns him or her to a case-mix group. The RAP payment is the first of the two payments required during an episode under the home health prospective payment system.

Entity who formally requests access to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) data.

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), mandate contained in law that compels a covered entity to make use or disclosure of protected health information and that is enforceable in a court of law such as court orders and subpoenas.