In a new blog post by Raven Jackson, director of regulatory and quality services for the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), she outlines how SNFs can prepare for the Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) system transition to the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES), effective Aug. 17.

Jackson said providers need to know the following for the transition. 

• Providers will use the current PBJ system for the Quarter 3 reporting period (April 1–June 30, 2026), with submissions due by Aug. 14, 2026. 

• PBJ submission for the Quarter 4 reporting period (July 1–Sept. 30, 2026) is due Nov. 14, 2026, and will be submitted via iQIES. 

• PBJ reporting requirements or quarterly submission deadlines remain the same.  

  
  

Four Must-Do’s 

There are four mandatory steps to perform before the transition date, Jackson said.

Step 1: Create a HARP Account - If you do not already have a HARP account, register through the HARP Login portal. If you already have an active HARP account, no action is needed for this step. 

Step 2: Request iQIES Access - PBJ functionality will not be available within iQIES until Aug. 17. However, it is recommended that providers submit iQIES access requests as early as possible. 

Step 3: Select Your PBJ Role – 

• Provider Security Official (PSO): Can view, upload, edit, and submit PBJ data; run PBJ reports; and approve user access requests. 

• PBJ Submitter (Provider or Vendor): Can view, upload, edit, and submit PBJ data and run PBJ reports. ​

• Provider Administrator: Can view PBJ reports. 

• PBJ Viewer: View-only access with the ability to run PBJ reports. 

  
  

Step 4: Obtain PSO Approval - Access is not activated until it is approved by your facility's PSO. Each facility must have at least one designated PSO.

Other items to keep track of include that vendors must request access separately for each facility using the facility's Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Certification Number (CCN) and obtain PSO approval for each facility. 

• Users who do not log into iQIES for 60 days will lose access to iQIES. Additional information on the iQIES Inactive User Policy can be found on QTSO. 

  
  

Team Member Steps

Jackson said the following are important to remember as an organization:

1. Identify all team members responsible for PBJ submission activities and ensure they obtain the appropriate iQIES access. 

   
   

2. Contact your PBJ vendor now to determine whether additional setup, linking, or authorization steps will be required within iQIES and how the vendor will accommodate the transition for direct PBJ submissions to CMS. 

   
   

3. Monitor CMS communications for training opportunities, technical guidance, and updated PBJ resources. 

   
   

4. Build additional time into early submission cycles following the transition to account for onboarding and troubleshooting. 

   
   

Submission Ready?

The first PBJ submission through iQIES will be due on Nov. 14, and providers should take steps now to ensure readiness well before that deadline. 

Technical questions?  Contact the iQIES Service Center at (800) 339-9313, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET. 

Questions or comments on this article? Contact Patrick Connole at pconnole@parkplacelive.com.