CMS Launching New iQIES ePOC System Functionality on July 14th
(July 11, 2025) On July 14, 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will release the new Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES) Electronic Plan of Correction (ePOC) system functionality to participating nursing homes and State Agencies. The use of the new ePOC system is not mandatory, but CMS encourages states and nursing homes that have been using ePOC to continue utilizing this functionality in iQIES to minimize CMS certification and enforcement work disruption.
Once ePOC functionality is enabled in iQIES, the current ePOC system will be disabled. Nursing home providers that currently utilize ePOC will need to request the Provider ePOC Administrator role in iQIES after you sign up for Health Care Quality Information Systems (HCQIS) Access Roles and Profile (HARP) access.
CMS has posted updated User Manuals to the QIES Technical Support Office (QTSO) site, along with training in the Quality, Safety, and Education Portal (QSEP) for the iQIES Provider ePOC Administrator role. It is recommended that all persons who will need to obtain access to this role review the training.
Please note:
- The current ePOC system will be shut off on July 10, 2025, with the start of the new ePOC system in iQIES coming online July 14, 2025. States were provided with insight regarding gap period concerns in the ‘cutover guidance’ release by CMS, up to and including the use of paper backup to ensure a successful transition. “Old” POCs will transition to iQIES for future reference.
- You will not be able to request the Provider ePOC Administrator role in iQIES until July 14, 2025. Users, however, can sign up for a HARP account now, which is required to obtain an iQIES role. CMS will send out additional information when the iQIES Provider ePOC Administrator role becomes available.
- For your Provider ePOC Administrator role request to be approved, your organization must have at least one Provider Security Official (PSO) assigned. This should already be established, as iQIES is currently used for Minimum Data Set (MDS) submission and related reports. CMS recommends that at least two PSOs be established for every CMS-certified nursing home provider.
- Nursing Home User Training – Provider ePOC Administrator Role is now available in QSEP. Facilities that currently utilize ePOC should have all designees review this training module and the accompanying User Manual.
- Providers are encouraged to submit Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) data early – by July 14th. Given this ePOC transition, the iQIES Service Center is anticipating a significant increase in the volume of calls and emails and is encouraging providers to submit the April 1st-June 30th PBJ data due on Aug. 14th early.
For more information, please contact the iQIES Service Center by email or by phone: 1-800-339-9313.
Contact: Amy Nelson, anelson@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383 ext. 146