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iQIES for Minimum Data Set (MDS) Submission Release on April 17, 2023

CMS is excited to announce that the transition of the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment submission and reporting functionality to the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES) will occur on Monday, April 17, 2023.

To properly prepare for the transition, the QIES Assessment Submission and Processing (ASAP) system for MDS submissions will be turned off on Thursday, April 13 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Providers should submit completed MDS records prior to 8:00 p.m. ET on April 13th to QIES (ASAP) or wait until 8:00 a.m. ET on April 17th to submit data in iQIES. Providers are expected to take into account all requirements when determining the date they submit completed MDS records, including but not limited to, submission timeliness, claims processing, and care planning requirements.

CMS will provide additional information through various email notifications regarding training, technical guidance, details on what to expect, and more.

Register for an iQIES Account

Please note that failure to obtain access to iQIES prior to April 17, 2023 will impact your ability to submit MDS records. As mentioned in previous communications, nursing home and swing bed providers who are required to submit data to CMS must have at least one staff person assigned and approved as the facility Provider Security Official (PSO), who works for the provider and is responsible for approving all other users for their facility. For information and instructions to register for an iQIES account, please visit the link below.

iQIES Service Center

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. Please note that call volume may be higher than normal during this time.

Click here to register for an iQIES account.

KLOCS Updates to the CHOW Process

Update on how active Level Of Care (LOCs) and applications will be processed when a Change Of Ownership (CHOW) is processed in KLOCS, for Long Term Care (LTC) facilities, as reported by Provider Enrollment.

Starting Sunday, February 5, 2023 – When a CHOW is reported (to KLOCS), saved applications which are associated with the old Provider Number will be withdrawn. Providers impacted by the CHOW will receive a notification in the Message Center indicating which applications were or were not (including a reason) processed by the CHOW. Providers must review the notification and complete any actions identified in the message.

CMS Proposal Marks Shift After Years of Skilled Nursing Frustration with Medicare Advantage Diversion

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has decided to take action on transitions in care – specifically Medicare Advantage (MA) plans diverting care to home health instead of skilled nursing – after years of skilled nursing industry and consumer feedback. CMS has taken steps to address the trend with a proposed rule.

Click here for complete details.