Payroll Based Journal (PBJ)

 PBJ Overview

Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) was created by CMS as a method to collect auditable and verifiable staffing data from nursing facilities. Details on the collection methodology and other policies related to staffing data submission can be found in the latest PBJ Policy Manual and FAQs can be found here.

Data collected through PBJ is utilized to calculate the staffing component of Five-Star, to evaluate adequate staffing levels, and will be utilized in SNF Value-Based Purchasing.

 Latest PBJ News

 

 

Reminder: Upcoming Payroll Based Journal Deadlinehttps://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Reminder-Upcoming-Payroll-Based-Journal-Deadline--.aspxReminder: Upcoming Payroll Based Journal Deadline4/4/2025 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 W​ebsite</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.
Care Compare and Five-Star Ratings – Delayed January Releasehttps://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Care-Compare-and-Five-Star-Ratings-–-Delayed-January-Release-.aspxCare Compare and Five-Star Ratings – Delayed January Release1/31/2025 5:00:00 AM​<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">The January 2025 release of updated Five-Star Ratings on </span><a href="https://data.cms.gov/provider-data/topics/nursing-homes" 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">Care Compare</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;"> was scheduled to occur on Wednesday, Jan 29, but has been delayed. It is not known yet when the release will occur.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span><div><br><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">This release of Care Compare will include the </span><a href="/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/CMS-Posts-Updated-Five-Star-Quality-Rating-Program-Technical-User’s-Guide--.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">unfreezing of four quality measures</span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">. It also will include more recent Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) staffing data through the third quarter of 2024 and health inspection data – all of which determine Overall Five-Star ratings.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><span data-ccp-props="{}">​<br></span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">The release delay is likely connected to the freeze on health agency reports and information, which currently goes through February 1.</span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div></div>The January 2025 release of updated Five-Star Ratings on Care Compare was scheduled to occur on Wednesday, Jan 29, but has been delayed.
Payroll Based Journal Deadline Coming Uphttps://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Payroll-Based-Journal-Deadline-Coming-Up--.aspxPayroll Based Journal Deadline Coming Up1/22/2025 5:00:00 AM​<span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Providers must submit Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) data for October 1 – December 31of 2024 by February 14, 2025. </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span><br><br><div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Provided below, are key reminders.  </span></div><div><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"><br></span></div><div><ol role="list" start="1"><li data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"multilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">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.</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">The 1702D Individual Daily Staffing Report provides a list of staffing hours per employee per day. This can be utilized to ensure that an employee ID is not accidentally assigned to more than one staff member.  </span><br></li></ol></div><div><ol role="list" start="2"><li data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"multilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Providers should follow the instructions in the</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><a href="https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/NursingHomeQualityInits/Downloads/PBJ-Linking-Methodology.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">employee ID linking file</span></span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><span data-ccp-charstyle="Hyperlink"> </span></span></a><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">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).</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span> <span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li></ol></div><div><ol role="list" start="3"><li data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"multilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">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.</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">If a longer break was taken, that time must be excluded. </span> <br></li></ol></div><div><ol role="list" start="4"><li data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"multilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">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. The 1702S Staffing Summary Report provides information on the number of staff by job title and the total hours reported for the given job title. This report can be helpful in identifying if there are zero hours reported for a particular job title (e.g. zero RN hours). The 1703D Job Title Report can also be helpful in drilling down by work date the staffing hours for a particular job title. This can be particularly helpful to ensure that there are RN hours for each day.  </span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li></ol></div><div><ol role="list" start="5"><li data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"multilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Hours should be reported under the primary role of a staff member. If there is a complete shift in an individual’s role for a given timeframe, then providers can report hours under the new role.  </span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li></ol></div><div><ol role="list" start="6"><li data-leveltext="%1." data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"multilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="6" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US">Currently, the version of Ivanti utilized for PBJ submission cannot be utilized in Chrome OS. Providers need to utilize Microsoft Windows OS version 10 or 11 to submit data. </span> <span data-ccp-props="{"335559739":0}"> </span></li></ol></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 has several resources to help answer provider questions on PBJ:</span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></div><div><ul role="list"><li 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"}" aria-setsize="-1" 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 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"}" aria-setsize="-1" 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 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"}" aria-setsize="-1" 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. 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><span data-ccp-props="{}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><ul><li 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"}" aria-setsize="-1" 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 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"}" aria-setsize="-1" 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 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"}" aria-setsize="-1" 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><span data-contrast="auto" lang="EN-US"></span><span data-ccp-props="{"335559685":1440,"335559739":0}"> </span></div></div><div><div><ul role="list"><li 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"}" aria-setsize="-1" 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></li></ul></div></div>Providers must submit Payroll Based Journal data for October 1 – December 31of 2024 by February 14, 2025.
Get Ready for the November 14 Payroll-Based Journal Deadlinehttps://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Blog/Pages/Get-Ready-for-the-November-14-Payroll-Based-Journal-Deadline-.aspxGet Ready for the November 14 Payroll-Based Journal Deadline10/22/2024 4:00:00 AM<p>​<span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11pt;">​Staffing data for July 1 – September 30, 2024 is due by 11:59 PM EST on November 14. Skilled nursing providers are advised to submit their data early and consult the staffing reports in CASPER to confirm the accuracy and completeness of their submissions.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}" style="font-size:11pt;"> </span></p><div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><strong>Five reminders to keep in mind:</strong></span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></div><div><ol role="list" start="1"><li data-leveltext="%1." data-font="Arial" data-listid="7" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Submit data early to allow time to run and review PBJ CASPER Reports and make any necessary corrections before the submission deadline. If errors are identified, they must be corrected by the final deadline. Corrections cannot be made after the deadline.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li></ol></div><div><ol role="list" start="2"><li data-leveltext="%1." data-font="Arial" data-listid="7" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Each staff member (employed directly or through a contract) must be assigned a unique employee ID. Do not use the same employee ID for more than one individual. The 1702D Individual Daily Staffing Report provides a list of staffing hours per employee per day and can help ensure that employee IDs are not mistakenly duplicated.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li></ol></div><div><ol role="list" start="3"><li data-leveltext="%1." data-font="Arial" data-listid="7" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Follow the instructions in the </span><a href="https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/NursingHomeQualityInits/Downloads/PBJ-Linking-Methodology.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">employee ID linking file </span></a><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">to link an old employee ID with a new one, ensuring continuity in reporting when an ID changes (e.g., due to a vendor change).</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li></ol></div><div><ol role="list" start="4"><li data-leveltext="%1." data-font="Arial" data-listid="7" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Deduct 30 minutes for a meal break for every 8 hours of work, regardless of whether the meal was paid or unpaid, or whether the break was taken. If the break exceeds 30 minutes, the additional time must also be excluded.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li></ol></div><div><ol role="list" start="5"><li data-leveltext="%1." data-font="Arial" data-listid="7" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":0,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769242":[65533,0],"469777803":"left","469777804":"%1.","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="5" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Use the “merge” and “replace” commands with caution when correcting data before the deadline. The “replace” command will delete all previous data for the quarter and replace it with the new data in the file. Refer to the </span><a href="https://qtso.cms.gov/system/files/qtso/PBJ_Provider_User_Guide_4.00.1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">PBJ User Manual</span></a><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"> for more detailed instructions.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li></ol></div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><strong>PBJ Resources from AHCA:</strong></span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="8" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","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="https://educate.ahcancal.org/products/payroll-based-journal-best-practices-for-submitting-data#tab-product_tab_overviewhttps://educate.ahcancal.org/products/payroll-based-journal-best-practices-for-submitting-data" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" data-feathr-click-track="true" data-feathr-link-aids="60b7cbf17788425491b2d083"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Payroll-Based Journal: Best Practices for Submitting Data</span></a><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">  – A webinar covering best practices for PBJ data submission.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="8" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","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">FAQs</span></a><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">developed by AHCA to assist members with their staffing data submissions.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="8" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Members can send PBJ questions to AHCA at </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></a><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"><strong>Resources from CMS:</strong></span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="9" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","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="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">CMS PBJ Website </span></a><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">  </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="9" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","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="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">Five-Star Technical User Guide</span></a><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">   </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li></ul><div><br></div></div></div><div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">For technical questions, contact the iQIES Service Center. Note: Due to the approaching deadline, a high volume of calls and emails is expected. Contact them using one of the following methods:</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="10" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">Email: </span><a href="mailto:iqies@cms.hhs.gov" 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></a><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">  </span><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="10" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="none" 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">CCSQ Support Central  </span></a><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li></ul></div><div><ul role="list"><li data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="10" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-aria-level="1" role="listitem"><span data-contrast="none" 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">CCSQ Support Central  </span></a><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US"> </span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></li></ul><div><br></div></div><div><span data-contrast="none" lang="EN-US">For policy questions, email </span><a href="mailto:NHStaffing@cms.hhs.gov" 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="none" lang="EN-US">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{"134233117":false,"134233118":false,"201341983":0,"335557856":16777215,"335559738":0,"335559739":0,"335559740":240}"> </span></div></div>Skilled nursing providers are advised to submit their data early and consult the staffing reports in CASPER to confirm the accuracy and completeness of their submissions.