| Don’t Forget and Submit Early: Payroll Based Journal Deadline Coming Up | https://publish.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Don’t-Forget-and-Submit-Early-Payroll-Based-Journal-Deadline-Coming-Up--.aspx | Don’t Forget and Submit Early: Payroll Based Journal Deadline Coming Up | | | | | 11/4/2025 5:00:00 AM | | <p></p><div><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">Providers must submit Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) data for July 1 – September 30, 2025 by <strong style="text-decoration:underline;"><em>November 14, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time</em></strong>. Given the government shutdown, providers are encouraged to submit their data early so that they have ample time to resolve issues should they run into any challenges during data submission. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:14.6667px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:14.6667px;"><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Key Reminders:</span> </span></div><div><span style="font-size:14.6667px;"><br></span></div><div><ol><li><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">Each staff member (employed directly or contract) should have a unique employee ID assigned to them. Do not utilize the same employee ID for more than one individual. <br><br></span></li><li><span style="font-size:11pt;">Providers should follow the instructions in the <a href="https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/NursingHomeQualityInits/Downloads/PBJ-Linking-Methodology.pdf" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">employee ID linking file</a> to link an old employee’s ID with a new one. This ensures continuity in reporting an employee’s hours when their ID changes (e.g., due to a change of vendor). <br><br></span></li><li><span style="font-size:11pt;">For every 8 hours of work, providers must exclude 30 minutes for a meal break. This must be deducted regardless of whether the meal was paid for or unpaid, and whether the break was taken. If a longer break was taken, that time must be excluded. </span></li></ol></div><div><span style="font-size:11pt;">Members may direct their PBJ questions to AHCA at </span><a href="mailto:staffdatacollection@ahca.org" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank" style="font-size:11pt;">staffdatacollection@ahca.org</a><span style="font-size:11pt;">. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:14.6667px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">CMS has several resources to help answer provider questions on PBJ: </span></div><div><span style="font-size:14.6667px;"><br></span></div><div><ul><li><span style="font-size:14.6667px;"><a href="https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/nursing-home-improvement/staffing-data-submission" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">CMS PBJ Website</a><br> </span></li><li><span style="font-size:14.6667px;"><a href="https://www.cms.gov/medicare/provider-enrollment-and-certification/certificationandcomplianc/downloads/usersguide.pdf" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Five-Star Technical User Guide </a><br> </span></li><li><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">Technical questions should be directed to the iQIES Service Center. Note due to the upcoming deadline, they anticipate a high volume of calls and emails. They can be reached via one of the following methods: </span></li><ul><li><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">Email: <a href="mailto:iqies@cms.hhs.gov%E2%80%8B" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">iqies@cms.hhs.gov </a></span></li><li><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">Schedule a service call at <a href="https://cmsqualitysupport.servicenowservices.com/ccsq_support_central" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">CCSQ Support Central </a> </span></li><li><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">Live Chat at <a href="https://cmsqualitysupport.servicenowservices.com/ccsq_support_central" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">CCSQ Support Central </a> <br><br></span></li></ul><li><span style="font-size:14.6667px;">Policy Questions should be directed to: <a href="mailto:NHStaffing@cms.hhs.gov%E2%80%AF" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083">NHStaffing@cms.hhs.gov </a> </span></li></ul></div><div><span style="font-size:14.6667px;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:14.6667px;"> </span></div><p></p> | Providers must submit Payroll Based Journal data for July 1 – September 30, 2025 by November 14, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time. | |
| Payroll Based Journal Deadline on August 14 | https://publish.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/ayroll-Based-Journal-Deadline-on-August-14.aspx | Payroll Based Journal Deadline on August 14 | | | | | 7/29/2025 4:00:00 AM | | <span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">Providers must submit Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) data for April 1 – June 30, 2025 by August 14, 2025. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><div><span data-ccp-props="{}"><br></span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Providers are encouraged to submit data early so that they have sufficient time to review the PBJ CASPER Reports and make any necessary corrections prior to the deadline. As a reminder, CMS does not accept late PBJ submissions. </span></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">AHCA has several resources to support providers with PBJ, including: </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><ul><li><a href="/Survey-Regulatory-Legal/MemberOnlyDocs/PBJ%20Submission%20Checklist.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" style="font-size:11pt;"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Reporting Hours in PBJ Checklist </span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":278}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span></li><li><a href="/Survey-Regulatory-Legal/MemberOnlyDocs/Reporting%20Hours%20in%20PBJ.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" style="font-size:11pt;"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Reporting Hours in PBJ for RNs </span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":278}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span></li><li><a href="/Survey-Regulatory-Legal/MemberOnlyDocs/Payroll%20Based%20Journal%20FAQs.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" style="font-size:11pt;"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">PBJ FAQs </span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":278}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span></li></ul></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Members may direct their PBJ questions to AHCA at</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><a href="mailto:staffdatacollection@ahca.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">staffdatacollection@ahca.org</span></span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"></span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">.</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">CMS also has several resources to help answer provider questions on PBJ. Note, CMS recently </span><a href="/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/CMS-Publishes-Updates-to-PBJ-Manual-and-FAQs-.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">published updates </span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">to the PBJ Manual and FAQs. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{}"><br></span></div><div><ul role="list"><li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><a href="https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/nursing-home-improvement/staffing-data-submission" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">CMS PBJ W</span></span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"></span></span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">ebsite</span></span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"> </span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li><li><a href="https://www.cms.gov/medicare/provider-enrollment-and-certification/certificationandcomplianc/downloads/usersguide.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Five-Star Technical User Guide</span></span></a></li></ul></div><div><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">Technical questions should be directed to the iQIES Service Center. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span></p></div><div><ul><li><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">Email:</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><a href="https://encoded-592c9deb-987b-4562-aa3c-9fa3d37d83e9.uri/mailto:iqies%40cms.hhs.gov%25E2%2580%258B" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" style="font-size:11pt;"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">iqies@cms.hhs.gov</span></span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"></span></span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"> </span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":1440,"335559739":0,"469777462":[720,1440],"469777927":[0,0],"469777928":[0,8]}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span></li><li><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">Schedule a service call at </span><a href="https://cmsqualitysupport.servicenowservices.com/ccsq_support_central" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" style="font-size:11pt;"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">CCSQ Support Central </span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":1440,"335559739":0,"469777462":[720,1440],"469777927":[0,0],"469777928":[0,8]}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span></li><li><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">Live Chat at </span><a href="https://cmsqualitysupport.servicenowservices.com/ccsq_support_central" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" style="font-size:11pt;"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">CCSQ Support Central </span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":1440,"335559739":0,"469777462":[720,1440],"469777927":[0,0],"469777928":[0,8]}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span></li></ul></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":1440,"335559739":0}"> </span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">Policy Questions should be directed to:</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><a href="https://encoded-592c9deb-987b-4562-aa3c-9fa3d37d83e9.uri/mailto:NHStaffing%40cms.hhs.gov%25E2%2580%25AF" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" style="font-size:11pt;"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">NHStaffing@cms.hhs.gov</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span></div> | Providers must submit Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) data for April 1 – June 30, 2025 by August 14, 2025. | |
| Upcoming Payroll Based Journal Deadline | https://publish.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Up-coming-Payroll-Based-Journal-Deadline-.aspx | Upcoming Payroll Based Journal Deadline | | | | | 7/8/2025 4:00:00 AM | | <span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">Providers must submit Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) data for April 1 – June 30, 2025, by August 14, 2025. </span><div><span data-ccp-props="{}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Providers are encouraged to submit data early, ideally before July 14, 2025, due to the rollout of a new Internet Quality Improvement & Evaluation System (iQIES) Electronic Plan of Correction (ePOC) system functionality that will impact participating Nursing Homes and state Agencies. This new rollout is anticipated to increase the call volume and hold times for the iQIES Service Center</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">,</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> and providers are encouraged to submit data as early as possible. Note: CMS does not accept late PBJ submissions. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{}"><br></span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">AHCA has several resources to support providers with PBJ, including: </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><ul role="list"><li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="-" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{"335551671":0,"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Aptos","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="0" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><a href="/Survey-Regulatory-Legal/MemberOnlyDocs/PBJ%20Submission%20Checklist.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Reporting Hours in PBJ Checklist </span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":278}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="-" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{"335551671":0,"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Aptos","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><a href="/Survey-Regulatory-Legal/MemberOnlyDocs/Reporting%20Hours%20in%20PBJ.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Reporting Hours in PBJ for RNs </span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":278}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="-" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{"335551671":0,"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Aptos","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><a href="/Survey-Regulatory-Legal/MemberOnlyDocs/Payroll%20Based%20Journal%20FAQs.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">PBJ FAQs </span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"201341983":0,"335559740":278}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Members may direct their PBJ questions to AHCA at</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><a href="mailto:staffdatacollection@ahca.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">staffdatacollection@ahca.org</span></span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"></span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">.</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">CMS also has several resources to help answer provider questions on PBJ. Note, CMS recently </span><a href="/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/CMS-Publishes-Updates-to-PBJ-Manual-and-FAQs-.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">published updates </span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">to the PBJ Manual and FAQs. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{}"><br></span></div><div><ul role="list"><li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><a href="https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality/nursing-home-improvement/staffing-data-submission" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">CMS PBJ W</span></span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"></span></span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">ebsite</span></span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"> </span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><a href="https://www.cms.gov/medicare/provider-enrollment-and-certification/certificationandcomplianc/downloads/usersguide.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Five-Star Technical User Guide</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Technical questions should be directed to the iQIES Service Center. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><ul><li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Email:</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><a href="mailto:iqies@cms.hhs.gov%E2%80%8B" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">iqies@cms.hhs.gov</span></span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"></span></span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"> </span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":1440,"335559739":0,"469777462":[720,1440],"469777927":[0,0],"469777928":[0,8]}"> </span></li></ul></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><ul><li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Schedule a service call at </span><a href="https://cmsqualitysupport.servicenowservices.com/ccsq_support_central" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">CCSQ Support Central </span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":1440,"335559739":0,"469777462":[720,1440],"469777927":[0,0],"469777928":[0,8]}"> </span></li></ul></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><ul><li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Live Chat at </span><a href="https://cmsqualitysupport.servicenowservices.com/ccsq_support_central" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">CCSQ Support Central </span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":1440,"335559739":0,"469777462":[720,1440],"469777927":[0,0],"469777928":[0,8]}"> </span></li></ul></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><li aria-setsize="-1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Policy Questions should be directed to:</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><a href="mailto:NHStaffing@cms.hhs.gov%E2%80%AF" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">NHStaffing@cms.hhs.gov</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li></ul></div></div> | | |
| CMS Publishes Updates to PBJ Manual and FAQs | https://publish.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/CMS-Publishes-Updates-to-PBJ-Manual-and-FAQs-.aspx | CMS Publishes Updates to PBJ Manual and FAQs | | | | | 7/1/2025 4:00:00 AM | | <span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently published updates to the </span><a href="https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality-initiatives-patient-assessment-instruments/nursinghomequalityinits/downloads/pbj-policy-manual-final-v25-11-19-2018.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" style="font-size:11pt;"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Payroll</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">-</span><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Based Journal (PBJ) Manual</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;"> and associated </span><a href="https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality-initiatives-patient-assessment-instruments/nursinghomequalityinits/downloads/pbj-policy-manual-faq-11-19-2018.pdf%5d" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" style="font-size:11pt;"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Frequently Asked Questions </span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">(FAQs). Below is a summary of the key updates. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><div><span data-ccp-props="{}"><br></span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"><strong>PBJ Manual</strong></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Version 2.7 updated June 2025 is the most recent version of the PBJ Manual. Key updates include: </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{}"><br></span></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335551671":0,"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Aptos","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="0" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Facilities are reminded to run their census reports and verify the accuracy of their resident census data prior to the submission deadline. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335551671":0,"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Aptos","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">No single individual can have more than 22.5 hours of work reported for any one day. This is to comply with the requirement that for every eight hours of work, a minimum of 30 minutes must be deducted for a meal break regardless of whether a break was taken or not. If a longer break is taken, that total time must be deducted. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335551671":0,"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Aptos","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> The manual also clarifies that for nursing hours to be counted, work must be completed on-site. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"><strong>FAQs</strong></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">The FAQs have been updated to include several new questions that provide additional clarity on existing policy requirements. Below is a summary of some of these items. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{}"><br></span></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335551671":0,"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Aptos","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Surveyors are aware of the PBJ meal break policy, and a facility should not be cited if they can prove that there were 8 consecutive hours of RN on-site coverage 7 days a week. If a facility has an RN waiver for having an RN onsite 8 hours a day for 7 days a week, they should provide that information to CMS to avoid a downgrade to 1 star. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335551671":0,"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Aptos","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">If an employee’s salary and contract are based on a work week exceeding 40 hours and the total hours are specified, all hours worked – excluding meal breaks – may be reported. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="2" data-list-defn-props="{"335551671":0,"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Aptos","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Three new FAQs were added regarding PBJ audits, including information on appeal reconsideration requests, triggers for a failed PBJ audit, and clarity on audit communications from CMS vs. audit contractors. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Providers are encouraged to view both updated resources in detail. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{}"><br></span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">AHCA has several resources to support providers with PBJ, including: </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335551671":0,"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Aptos","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="0" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><a href="/Survey-Regulatory-Legal/MemberOnlyDocs/PBJ%20Submission%20Checklist.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Reporting Hours in PBJ Checklist </span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335551671":0,"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Aptos","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><a href="/Survey-Regulatory-Legal/MemberOnlyDocs/Reporting%20Hours%20in%20PBJ.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">Reporting Hours in PBJ for RNs </span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="-" data-font="Aptos" data-listid="3" data-list-defn-props="{"335551671":0,"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Aptos","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><a href="/Survey-Regulatory-Legal/MemberOnlyDocs/Payroll%20Based%20Journal%20FAQs.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">PBJ FAQs </span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">PBJ questions can be directed to AHCA at</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><a href="mailto:staffdatacollection@ahca.org" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink">staffdatacollection@ahca.org</span></span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"></span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">.</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div> | | |