Reminder: iQIES Registration Due (SNF)

As previously announced, in preparation for the release of the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES) for Minimum Data Set (MDS) submission in early 2023, all users must create an account and establish credentials in the HCQIS Access Roles and Profile (HARP) system, which is a secure identity management portal provided by CMS, followed by requesting User Role access to iQIES. Although the MDS submission functionality is not available immediately, we strongly encourage users to complete the steps below as soon as possible, as doing so will allow for a smoother transition prior to the go-live date.  

Register for iQIES Access

To receive access to iQIES, please complete the following steps below.  

IMPORTANT: If your organization has not yet identified and registered a Provider Security Official (PSO), you will not be able to complete a user role request. At minimum, at least one PSO needs to be registered for each provider, but CMS highly recommends that at least two PSOs be designated so there is a higher likelihood someone will be available to approve/reject iQIES access requests. The PSO must work for the provider and cannot be a vendor.

1. Create an account in the HARP system using your corporate email address. 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 fewer providers and does not have a corporate email domain, a personal email address may be used.  
2. Access iQIES and log in with your HARP credentials (completed in step 1) to complete the process to request your User Role for your specific provider CMS Certification Number (CCN). 
3. Once the user role request has been submitted AND approved by the PSO, you will receive notification via email informing you that your iQIES account access request has been approved.

Note: Please refer to the following iQIES documents for more information: 

• iQIES Onboarding Guide for step-by-step instructions to request a user role 
• iQIES User Role Matrix for a listing of user category descriptions and role privileges 

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

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

HARP 

• Fact sheet on HARP Identity Proofing
• FAQs related to HARP   

iQIES 

• iQIES Getting Started Overview 
• iQIES Onboarding Guide
• iQIES Security Official: Manage Access Job Aid 
• iQIES Quick Reference Guide – Provider Security Official
• iQIES User Role Matrix 

Questions? Please contact the iQIES Service Center or (800) 339-9313.