As previously announced, CMS is preparing to release the Internet-facing, cloud-based system, referred to as the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES) for Minimum Data Set (MDS) submission in early 2023.

Although the MDS submission functionality will not be available immediately, we strongly encourage Provider Security Officials (PSOs) to request access to iQIES as soon as possible, as doing so will allow for a smoother transition prior to the go live date. The individual designated as the PSO must work for the provider and will be responsible for approving or rejecting iQIES user access requests for their respective organizations, including vendors. A user will not be granted access unless a PSO approves the request. The first PSO for your provider will need to be approved by CMS. Once approved, PSOs can approve additional Provider Security Official role requests.

Organizations must complete the steps below to register a Provider Security Official as soon as possible:

 ***IMPORTANT: General user onboarding begins November 15, 2022. At that time, if your organization has not yet successfully registered at least one PSO, users will not be able to complete their access requests. The delay for assigning a PSO places an organization in jeopardy of a smooth transition to iQIES.***

1. Identify at least one individual who will be the Provider Security Official (PSO). Note: At a minimum, at least one PSO needs to be selected, but CMS highly recommends at least two PSOs are designated so there is a higher likelihood that someone will be available to approve/reject iQIES access requests. The PSO must work for the provider and cannot be a vendor.
2. Create an account in the HARP system using your corporate email address* at: https://harp.cms.gov/register. Note: HARP User IDs cannot be adjusted. As such, please refrain from using facility names or any special characters (such as # or &) when creating the HARP User ID. *If the facility handles 2 or less providers and does not have a corporate email domain, the PSO may use a personal email address.
3. Access iQIES at: https://iqies.cms.gov/ and log in with your HARP credentials (completed in step 2 above) to request the Provider Security Official role for YOUR specific provider CMS Certification Number (CCN).
4. Once the PSO role request has been submitted AND approved, you will receive notification via email. At this point you will be one of the designated PSOs for your CCN and have the authority to approve/reject subsequent requests for access of various role types to your provider’s CCN.

Please see iQIES Quick Reference Guide – Provider Security Official for more information to onboard the PSO Role in iQIES: https://qtso.cms.gov/software/iqies/reference-manuals

Please Note: Currently, we are only onboarding MDS. You do not need to register for a HARP/iQIES account for Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) submissions.

Resources

For more information on HARP or iQIES, please refer to the following resources:

 HARP

• Fact sheet on HARP Identity Proofing: https://qtso.cms.gov/news-and-updates/remote-identify-proofing-requirements-internet-quality-improvement-evaluation
• FAQs related to HARP: https://harp.cms.gov/login/help

 iQIES

• iQIES Getting Started Overview: https://iqies.cms.gov/iqies/help
• iQIES Onboarding Guide: https://qtso.cms.gov/software/iqies/reference-manuals
• iQIES Security Official: Manage Access Job Aid: https://qtso.cms.gov/software/iqies/reference-manuals
• iQIES Quick Reference Guide – Provider Security Official: https://qtso.cms.gov/software/iqies/reference-manuals
• iQIES User Role Matrix: https://qtso.cms.gov/software/iqies/reference-manuals

If you have questions or require assistance, please contact the iQIES Service Center at iqies@cms.hhs.gov or by phone at (800) 339-9313.

SNFs are required to report data to meet the SNF QRP requirements. The submission deadline for the SNF QRP is approaching. MDS and NHSN data for 4/1/22 through 6/30/22 must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on November 15, 2022.

The Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 must be transmitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) through the Assessment Submission and Processing (ASAP) system to the Quality Improvement Evaluation System (QIES). Data for the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) measures must be submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). No additional data submission is required for the claims-based measures.

As a reminder, it is recommended that providers run applicable CASPER reports prior to each quarterly reporting deadline, in order to ensure that all required data has been submitted.

Swingtech sends informational messages to SNFs that are not meeting APU thresholds on a quarterly basis ahead of each submission deadlines. If you need to add or change the email addresses to which these messages are sent, please email QRPHelp@swingtech.com and be sure to include your facility name and CMS Certification Number (CCN) along with any requested email updates.

More information about SNF QRP can be found on the following webpages:
CMS SNF QRP Data Submission Deadlines webpage – https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/NursingHomeQualityInits/Skilled-Nursing-Facility-Quality-Reporting-Program/SNF-Quality-Reporting-Program-Data-Submission-Deadlines
CMS SNF QRP Help webpage – https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/NursingHomeQualityInits/Skilled-Nursing-Facility-Quality-Reporting-Program/SNF-Quality-Reporting-Program-QRP-Help
CMS SNF QRP Measures and Technical Information webpage – https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/NursingHomeQualityInits/Skilled-Nursing-Facility-Quality-Reporting-Program/SNF-Quality-Reporting-Program-Measures-and-Technical-Information
CMS SNF QRP Training Webpage – https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/NursingHomeQualityInits/Skilled-Nursing-Facility-Quality-Reporting-Program/SNF-Quality-Reporting-Program-Training

Nursing homes are required to electronically submit direct care staffing information to the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) system. Submissions must be received by the end of the 45th calendar day (11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time) after the last day in each fiscal quarter to be considered timely. PBJ data for 7/1/22 through 9/30/22 is due November 14, 2022.

Please submit PBJ data as soon as possible to avoid delays. CMS recommends running staffing reports in CASPER prior to the submission deadline to ensure the accuracy and completeness of submissions. Please remember, the Final File Validation Report verifies that the submission was successful.

Please note: If you need assistance with the PBJ quarterly submission and the deadline falls on a weekend, you must contact the QIES/iQIES Service Center no later than the Friday before the submission deadline, as the Service Center will be unavailable to assist on the weekend.

More information about PBJ can be found on the following webpages:
CMS PBJ webpage – https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/NursingHomeQualityInits/Staffing-Data-Submission-PBJ
PBJ Reference Manuals – https://qtso.cms.gov/vendors/payroll-based-journal-pbj-vendors/reference-manuals
PBJ Training – https://qtso.cms.gov/training-materials/payroll-based-journal-pbj