Reminder: Upcoming PBJ Deadline

Whether your PBJ data is submitted by facility staff or a third-party vendor, the facility is ultimately responsible for the accuracy and completeness of the submission. Before submitting, complete a final internal review to ensure your data is accurate.

At a minimum, verify that you have:

• Reviewed all reported staffing hours, including Medical Director hours.
• Deducted the required meal breaks.
• Validated employee IDs and job codes.
• Confirmed the correct reporting quarter was selected.
• Reviewed validation reports for errors or warnings.
• Ensured your submission was accepted and no files were rejected.

• Confirm the file was accepted.
• Verify the report contains the correct reporting quarter and facility data.
• Review any warnings or errors that require correction.
• The Final File Validation Report is typically available in CASPER within 24 hours of submission.

After submission, don’t assume the process is complete. Review the available PBJ CASPER reports to confirm your staffing data was processed as expected and identify any issues that should be corrected before the submission deadline.

Do not wait until the last day to submit your PBJ data. Early submission provides time to review validation reports, correct any errors, and resubmit, if necessary, before the August 14, 2026, deadline.

While the August 14, 2026, deadline is the immediate priority, providers should also begin preparing for the transition of PBJ reporting to the Internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES). Beginning August 17, 2026, all PBJ submissions and reporting activities will be completed in iQIES, and Quarter 4 (July 1–September 30, 2026) data must be submitted through iQIES by November 14, 2026.

CMS recently released QSO-26-12-NH, which outlines what providers should expect during the transition, including:

• PBJ submissions through the current QIES system will end after the August 14 deadline.
• PBJ reports will be available in iQIES beginning August 17, including up to 10 years of historical PBJ data (with limited exceptions).
• Providers should ensure all staff responsible for PBJ reporting have established HARP accounts, requested the appropriate iQIES role, and obtained approval from their facility’s Provider Security Official (PSO) before the transition.

Providers are encouraged to review the CMS memo QSO-26-12-NH and begin preparing now to ensure a smooth transition.

AHCA has developed several resources to help providers prepare for both the current submission deadline and the upcoming transition to iQIES:

• Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) On-Demand Education Program  
• PBJ FAQ
• Medical Director Hours Reporting Log  
• Medical Director Hours Reporting 
• AHCA Blog: What to Expect—PBJ Data Submission and Reporting in iQIES 

CMS provides several tools to assist providers:

• CMS PBJ Website 
• Electronic Staffing Data Submission – Long-Term Care Facility Version 2.7 June 2025 
• Design for Care Compare Nursing Home Five-Star Quality Rating System: Technical Users’ Guide July 2026 
• PBJ Policy Manual FAQ: Electronic Staffing Data Submission Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) Frequently Asked Questions 
• iqies Reference & Manuals | QIES Technical Support Office 

CMS Support: Live phone and email support for August 14, 2026, PBJ Deadline will be available through Friday, August 14, 2026, until 8:00 PM ET. All files must be submitted by August 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. Files for Fiscal Quarter 3, with the reporting period of April 1 through June 30, will not be accepted after this deadline.

• Technical Assistance: (800) 339-9313 | [email protected]  
• Schedule a service call or live chat via CCSQ Support Central 
  • HARP password and MFA issues can now be reset via chat.
• Policy Questions, contact: [email protected] 

Members may direct PBJ questions to [email protected].​