Aug 28, 2019
Dear Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) Provider:
The Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (QIES) is being upgraded to make the system more reliable, scalable, secure, and accessible. The enhanced system, referred to as the internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES), aims to reduce provider burden and enhance CMS’s ability to serve our customers.
The initial rollout of iQIES will not change how providers or vendors submit data. However, iQIES will require a new user management system because virtual private network (VPN) and CMSNet are no longer needed to access this system. All users will have to create an account and establish credentials in the HCQIS Access Roles and Profile system (HARP), which is a secure identity management portal provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
To register for access to iQIES, follow the steps below:
- Register in the HARP system at: https://harp.qualitynet.org/register/profile-info. HARP uses Experian to remotely verify a user’s identity by applying the data that a user provides, such as date of birth and social security number, to generate a list of personal questions for the user to answer to verify his or her identity. PLEASE NOTE: Some users who attempt to register in HARP may receive an error message stating that their email address already exists. This most likely means that you have completed some level of identity proofing in the past and that you have an EIDM account. If this applies to you, please call the iQIES helpdesk at (800) 339-9313 for assistance.
- After you have set up two-factor authentication, you will need to request your role in iQIES. Login to iQIES at the following URL: https://iqies.cms.gov/ using your HARP User ID and Password that you just created. Next, verify your account using two factor authentication and then select ‘Submit.’
- Select 'Request User Role' on the Welcome to iQIES page. There are four steps to request an iQIES role:
- Select the 'User Category.'
- Select a 'User Role.' For a summary description of iQIES roles that are applicable to your organization, please see the ‘iQIES User Roles’ section of this document (listed below). PLEASE NOTE: If your organization has not yet selected and registered a Security Official, you will not be able to request a role. We are requesting that IRFs establish at least 2 provider security officials for each facility that would be responsible for approving users to ensure a smooth transition.
- Select your Organization(s). Requests for the Vendor or Provider categories include the requirement to add one or more CMS Certification Numbers (CCNs). This enables access to those providers. As CCNs are entered, those providers are added to the list of permission requests. An error message will be displayed on the screen if an invalid CCN number has been entered. PLEASE NOTE: If you are an IRF sub-unit, you must use your facility’s parent CCN when requesting your role. Your provider will not be found if you attempt to use your sub-unit’s CCN to locate your facility, as the ‘T’ in the 3rd position of the CCN prevents the system from locating the facility.
- Once all required data is provided, select 'Submit Request.' A 'Role Request Submitted' message will be displayed on the My Profile page stating that your approval status will be emailed to you after your request is reviewed.
Thank you for following these registration instructions and taking the first step towards the future of iQIES patient assessment submission and reporting. Please be aware that although we strongly suggest that IRFs request access to iQIES now, assessment submission and reporting functionality will not be available until October 1, 2019. Failure to obtain access to iQIES prior to October 1 will impact your ability to submit assessment data needed for claims matching purposes. There will be additional communications forthcoming to notify IRF users when iQIES will be available for assessment submission and reporting.
In preparation for the iQIES launch, iQIES training content is available now:
- iQIES Help Page (Login is required for access): https://iqies.cms.gov/help
- iQIES Training Videos: https://go.cms.gov/iQIES_Training
iQIES User Roles
Assessment Submitter: The Assessment Submitter role has the ability to upload Patient XML files and is also able to generate and view reports. This role is not able to modify patient profiles or assessments.
Provider Administrator: The Provider Administrator role can create, modify, delete, find, and view patient profiles. This role is also able to create, submit, view, modify, and inactivate assessments. Provider Administrators can generate and view reports.
Provider Assessment Coordinator: The Provider Assessment Coordinator role is able to create, find, and view patient profiles, as well as create, submit, find, and view patient assessments. This role is able to generate and view reports. The Provider Assessment Coordinator role is not able to modify, delete, or inactivate patient profiles or assessments.
Provider Assessment Viewer: The Provider Assessment Viewer role is limited to finding and viewing patients and assessments. This role is able to generate and view reports. Provider Assessment Viewer roles are unable to create, modify, delete, or inactivate patient profiles and assessments.
Provider Security Official: The Security Provider Official role is responsible for approving or rejecting iQIES user access for organizations, including vendors, in HARP. Security officials can also upload Patient XML files, create or modify assessments, generate and view reports. PLEASE NOTE: If you have already requested the Provider Security Official role (prior to the receipt of this communication), you will have this entire functionality as well.
For assistance with HARP onboarding, users can call the QTSO Helpdesk at (800) 339-9313 or e-mail iqies@cms.hhs.gov. If you have any questions related to iQIES, please send them to iQIES_Broadcast@cms.hhs.gov .
Additional information on HARP
To watch a video detailing the HARP registration process, visit:
To watch a video explaining HARP manual proofing, visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYioFNNvtD0
To view the fact sheet on HARP Identity Proofing, visit:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to HARP can be accessed using the following link: