MRF downloads to an automated client

§180.50(d)(3)(iv)

What it checks

An automated tool, not only a person in a browser, can download the price file.

Checked by Care Carta. Care Carta's own check, for a requirement CMS's validator does not test.

How hospitals did

Passed 89%Failed 10%Couldn't determine <1%

Results as of Oct 5, 2026. The most common reasons are on the Publication and accessibility page.

How Care Carta decides

Passes when an automated client downloaded the MRF. Fails at once for a missing file (404, 410). Fails for a refusal, a web page in place of the file, a server error, or a connection failure that looks like the hospital's (a host that does not resolve or refuses connections, a certificate or TLS failure every client meets) only when it also happened on an earlier day, and a refusal on every route. Otherwise indeterminate: FETCH_FAILED, or CARECARTA_LIMIT for CareCarta's size ceiling.

Version

Ruleset

hpt-v3, version 3

Last changed in

Ruleset 2

CMS data dictionary

3.0.0

Check ID

hpt.mrf.access.automated@1

Replaced

hpt.mrf.publication.automated_download

Today's results all use this ruleset. A check never changes without a new ruleset. Full catalog (JSON)