Blog

Plan Ahead for iQIES Service Center Delays Around the PBJ Deadline

With the Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) quarterly deadline approaching on August 14, 2026, the iQIES Service Center is expecting significantly higher call and email volume between July 2 and August 14. The best way to avoid the crunch is to submit your Fiscal Quarter 3 data (April 1–June 30) as early as possible during the submission window — early submission leaves time to resolve any issues before the deadline pressure peaks. All files must be in by 11:59 PM ET on August 14; no FQ3 files will be accepted after that point.

If you do need support during this period, a few things to keep in mind: use only one contact method for each issue (phone, email, or web ticket) — duplicate submissions don't move you up in the queue and add to the backlog. The fastest alternatives to phone are the CARL live chat feature on CCSQ Support Central (available Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM ET, and now capable of handling HARP password and MFA resets) and the Schedule a Call option, which lets you book a time that works for you rather than waiting on hold. Have your CCN, QIES User ID, staffing summary report, and any existing ticket number ready before you contact support. Extended live support — phone and email through 8:00 PM ET — will be available on deadline day, August 14. Policy questions specific to PBJ can be directed to nhstaffing@cms.hhs.gov.

One additional reminder: facilities with remote users still running Windows 10 lost access to the CMSNet QIES VPN as of November 15, 2025, affecting PBJ submissions, HIS submissions, and CASPER reporting. If anyone on your team is still encountering access issues tied to this, the fix is upgrading to Windows 11 or using a different machine. Questions about CMSNet access can go to mdcn.mco@palmettogba.com or 1-888-238-2122.
 
Staff contact: mcarland[at]mehca.org
 

Calendar

View Calendar