What’s ahead: On July 14, 2025, CMS will release the new Internet Quality Improvement & Evaluation System (iQIES) Electronic Plan of Correction (ePOC) system functionality to participating nursing homes and state survey agencies.

• 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” released 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.

Once ePOC functionality is enabled in iQIES, the current ePOC system will be disabled.

• The use of the new ePOC system is not mandatory, but CMS encourages states and nursing homes that have been using ePOC to continue using this functionality in iQIES to minimize CMS certification and enforcement work disruption.
• Nursing home providers that currently utilize ePOC will need to request the Provider ePOC Administrator role in iQIES after you sign up for HCQIS Access Roles & Profile (HARP)

Learn more: CMS has posted updated User Manuals to the QTSO site, along with training in 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:

• You will not be able to request the Provider ePOC Administrator role in iQIES until July 14, 2025. However, users can sign up for a HCQIS Access Roles and Profile (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 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.

Due to the changes, providers are encouraged to submit Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) data early – by July 14.

• 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 1- June 30 PBJ data due on August 14 early.

For more information, please contact the iQIES Service Center by email at iqies@cms.hhs.gov or by phone at (800) 339-9313. You may also send questions to regulatory@ahca.org.