Attention: MDS, OASIS, IRF, SWB, EPOC, PBJ and others using QIES remote access.

An upgrade is required to the Juniper VPN Network Client software (Network Connect Client) currently used by the QIES community to log-in to CMSNet for required submission and reporting. 

The upgrade will be initiated automatically and will take effect the next time users launch the Juniper VPN Client and log-in following the scheduled upgrade dates referenced below.  Upon connection, the automated process will begin and the user will be prompted to start the installation of the new Pulse Secure Desktop Client on their workstation.

Note! Users must have Administrator rights on their workstation or have an IT staff member with Administrator rights assist the first time a user attempts to log-in following the upgrade dates referenced below.

The upgrade to Pulse Secure Desktop Client is scheduled as follows:
User Community                                        Date:
Swing Bed and IRF                                     4/08/2019
Hospice                                                       4/30/2019
Home Health (OASIS)                                5/30/2019
Nursing Homes (MDS, EPOC and PBJ)    6/30/2019

Background

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) serves a critical quality assurance function for our country’s healthcare system.  Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (QIES) will undergo a series of system enhancements resulting in what will be now called the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation Systems (iQIES).  

To comply with federal security mandates, CMS is initiating new security requirements for access control to CMS Quality Systems through Remote Identify Proofing (RIDP) via the HCQIS (Healthcare Quality Information System) Access, Roles and Profile Management system. Users will create accounts in HCQIS Access Roles and Profile Management (HARP) to gain access to the iQIES system.

What is Remote Identify Proofing? 

Remote proofing is a method for verifying the identity of a user remotely, as opposed to manual proofing or in-person proofing. Based on user-entered data, the HARP system uses Experian to generate a list of personal questions for the user to answer to verify their identity remotely. Remote proofing is the HARP-recommended method for identity verification, as it is typically much faster than other methods of identity proofing. If a user cannot successfully complete remote proofing during HARP registration, he/she will need to initiate manual proofing.

Why is Remote Identify Proofing Necessary?

The primary purpose of RIDP is to eliminate unauthorized access, reduce fraud, minimize manual processing, and prevent compromise of personally identifiable information (PII). These changes are designed to be compliant with federal and CMS guidelines and requirements such as OMB M04-04e-Authentication Guidance for Federal Agencies, HSPD-12, NIST 800-53 & 63, FISMA, FIPS 199 Standards, FIPS 200 and OMB M07-16. 

What happens to the personal information used to register?

CMS does not store your personal information received for the purposes of RIDP. It only passes it to the credit reporting agency, an external identity verification system, to help confirm your identity. Your personal information is described as data that is unique to you as an individual, such as name, address, telephone number, Social Security Number, and date of birth. 

Additional communication about iQIES program information including but not limited to onboarding, stakeholder engagement opportunities, training and general updates are in development and will be distributed in the coming weeks. For assistance with HARP onboarding, users can call the QTSO Helpdesk at (800) 339-9313 or e-mail help@qtso.com. 

MS is updating the Quality Improvement and Evaluation System

Starting in March, the Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (QIES), Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reports (CASPER) and Automated Survey Processing Environment (ASPEN) will undergo a series of modernizing enhancements. Once updated, the system will be called the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES). The iQIES system will not change how providers currently submit data to CMS.

The new enhancements in iQIES are based on user research and testing and feature a human-centered design and agile development practices. CMS is phasing in the iQIES system beginning with Long Term Care Hospitals (LTCH). Several updates to the QIES- Assessment Submission and Processing (ASAP) system are also planned. The Cloud-based solutions will also make it easier for users to receive support and use the system.

UPDATE 1/08/19: The electronic versions of the Nurse and Management Assessment have been updated.

Toolkit 1: Nursing Home Staff Competency Assessment

Quality care is complex. That’s why the CMPRP competency assessment helps nursing homes break down and self-examine some of the most important building blocks of quality care. Use the competency assessment to identify areas where your nursing home is doing well, versus where your facility might need support. Once you know where you need support, CMPRP can provide funding, technical assistance and learning opportunities to help address some of your facility’s toughest challenges, in order to offer the best possible care to your residents.

There are three competency assessments in print and electronic formats:

1) Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA)/Certified Medication Technicians (CMT)

2)Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LVN/LPN) and Registered Nurses (RN)

3) Assistant directors of nursing (ADON), directors of nursing (DON) and administrators.

Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) Policy Manual Updates, Notification to States and New Minimum Data Set (MDS) Census Reports

• Notification to States –

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will provide CMS Regional Offices (ROs) and State Survey Agencies with a list of facilities with potential staffing issues to support survey activities for evaluating sufficient staffing and improving resident health and safety.

• Updates in the PBJ Policy Manual and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – We are expanding the guidance on the meal breaks policy to ensure consistency. In addition, we are adding guidance regarding reporting hours for “Universal Care Workers.”

• Additional Technical Support for Facilities – New MDS-based census reports in the Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reporting (CASPER) system.