CMS will transition the Minimum Data Set (MDS) to iQIES on April 17th. To prepare for this transition, MDS submission through the current QIES will be cut off on April 13 at 8pm ET. There will be no way to submit MDS data during the black-out period from 7pm CST on April 13th – 7am CST on April 17th. Providers are still expected to meet all timeline requirements during the black-out period, so will need to plan accordingly. Provider Security Officials (PSOs) and registered users will need to be approved prior to April 17th to avoid delays in MDS submission through iQIES. CMS clarified on the SNF Open Door Forum call on March 2nd that while every nursing home must have a PSO, only those individuals who directly access iQIES will need HARP registration and iQIES user status. If CMS notes that the black-out will not affect payroll-based journal (PBJ) or ePlan of Care (ePOC). Providers will still have access to PBJ and ePOC through QIES during and after the April 13th black-out. PBJ and ePOC will be transitioned to iQIES at a later date to be determined.
