| 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> | | |
| Important Reminder for Upcoming Payroll Based Journal Deadline | https://publish.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Important-Reminder-for-Upcoming-Payroll-Based-Journal-Deadline.aspx | Important Reminder for Upcoming Payroll Based Journal Deadline | | | | | 5/6/2025 4:00:00 AM | | <p><span style="font-size:11pt;">Providers must submit Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) data for January 1 – March 31 of 2025 by <em style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong>May 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST.</strong></em><span style="text-decoration:underline;"> </span></span></p><div><span style="font-size:11pt;">Key Reminders: </span></div><div><br></div><div><ol><li>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></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 eight 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. <br><br></span></li><li><span style="font-size:11pt;">Submit data early so you have time to run and review PBJ CASPER Reports and make necessary corrections prior to the submission deadline. If any errors are identified, they must be corrected before the final submission deadline. Please note that corrections will not be accepted after this deadline. Check out this AHCA webinar on <a href="https://educate.ahcancal.org/products/payroll-based-journal-best-practices-for-submitting-data?_gl=1%2abe9da0%2a_gcl_au%2aMTMxMDgxMjUxMi4xNzQzMTc5NzI0" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Payroll-Based Journal: Best Practices for Submitting Data</a>. </span></li></ol></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-size:11pt;">QIES multi-factor authentication was implemented on March 24th. This means that all PBJ submission logins now require the completion of MFA with a passcode verification that will be sent to the email address associated with the QIES account. As this is new, please plan on submitting early in the event you run into issues. </span></div><div><br></div><div>Members may direct their PBJ questions to AHCA at <a href="mailto:staffdatacollection@ahca.org" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">staffdatacollection@ahca.org</a>. </div><div><br></div><div>CMS also has several resources to help answer provider questions on PBJ, including: </div><div><br></div><div><ul><li><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><br></li><li><span style="font-size:11pt;"><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:11pt;">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:11pt;">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:11pt;">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:11pt;">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:11pt;">Policy Questions should be directed to: <a href="mailto:NHStaffing@cms.hhs.gov" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">NHStaffing@cms.hhs.gov</a>. </span><span style="font-size:11pt;"></span></li></ul></div><p></p> | Providers must submit Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) data for January 1 – March 31 of 2025 by May 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. | |
| Reminder: Upcoming Payroll Based Journal Deadline | https://publish.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Reminder-Upcoming-Payroll-Based-Journal-Deadline--.aspx | Reminder: Upcoming Payroll Based Journal Deadline | | | | | 4/4/2025 4:00:00 AM | | <p></p><div>Providers must submit Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) data for January 1 – March 31 of 2025 by <strong>May 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time. </strong></div><div><br></div><div>Key Reminders: <br> </div><div><ol><li><span style="font-size:11pt;">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> </span></li><li><span style="font-size:11pt;">For every eight 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. <br> </span></li><li><span style="font-size:11pt;">Submit data early so you have time to run and review PBJ CASPER Reports and make necessary corrections prior to the submission deadline. If any errors are identified, they must be corrected before the final submission deadline. Please note that corrections will not be accepted after this deadline. Check out this AHCA webinar on <a href="https://educate.ahcancal.org/products/payroll-based-journal-best-practices-for-submitting-data?_gl=1%2abe9da0%2a_gcl_au%2aMTMxMDgxMjUxMi4xNzQzMTc5NzI0" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">Payroll-Based Journal: Best Practices for Submitting Data</a>. </span></li></ol></div><div><span style="font-size:11pt;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size:11pt;">Members may direct their PBJ questions to AHCA at <a href="mailto:staffdatacollection@ahca.org" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">staffdatacollection@ahca.org</a>. </span></div><div><br></div><div>CMS has several resources to help answer provider questions on PBJ, including: <br><br></div><div><ul><li><span style="font-size:11pt;"><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><br></span></li><li><span style="font-size:11pt;"><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><br></span></li><li><span style="font-size:11pt;">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. It can be reached via one of the following methods: </span></li><ul><li><span style="font-size:11pt;">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:11pt;">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:11pt;">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:11pt;">Policy Questions should be directed to <a href="mailto:NHStaffing@cms.hhs.gov" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083" target="_blank">NHStaffing@cms.hhs.gov</a>. </span></li></ul></div><p></p> | Providers must submit Payroll Based Journal data for January 1 – March 31 of 2025 by May 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.
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