MDS Scheduled to Transition to iQIES on April 17, 2023
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment submission and reporting functionality is transitioning to the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES) on Mon., April 17, 2023.?Please make note that on Thurs., April 13th at 8 p.m. ET, the QIES Assessment Submission and Processing (ASAP) system for MDS submissions will be turned off.
To be prepared for this, all providers should submit completed MDS records prior to 8 p.m. ET on April 13th to QIES (ASAP) or wait until 8 a.m. ET on April 17th to submit data in iQIES. Providers should consider all requirements when determining the date to 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. Please be aware that failure to obtain access to iQIES prior to April 17, 2023 will impact your ability to submit MDS records.
It is most important to know that 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 will be responsible for approving all other users for their facility. A guide on how to get started with iQIES is available here, with step-by-step instructions regarding the PSO role here. The CMS YouTube channel containing iQIES educational videos is here.
Another helpful resource is the iQIES Technical Support Office (QTSO), whose website offers references and manuals, software tools, and training materials for providers. The Service Center is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Friday by phone (1-888-477-7876 (select Option 1)) or email (iqies@cms.hhs.gov).
Contact: Carrie Mosley, cmosley@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383 ext. 147