Step 4: Sign Up & Log on to CMS

Required CMS Certification Number (CCN)

The CCN is provided as part of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare/Medicaid certification process. Medicare/Medicaid certified nursing facilities and swing bed facilities should not request a CMS MDS logon account and should not submit Minimum Data Set (MDS) data to CMS until the facility enters its CMS-assigned CCN into its MDS data entry software. Facility staff should contact their business office to obtain their CCN. The Texas MDS office can do nothing to speed up the CMS process of assigning CCNs.

Once a CCN is assigned to a certified facility, that facility can submit all of their MDS records. Medicare or Medicaid may then be billed as appropriate. A Texas Medicaid facility has 60 days after the facility’s very first Long Term Care Medicaid Information (LTCMI) is completed and accepted to have all late MDSs and LTCMIs completed and accepted in order to avoid default payment (see Information Letter No. 2010-45 for more details). Facilities can contact their Medicare Administrative Contractor (Novitas Solutions) or Texas Medicaid & Healthcare Partnership (TMHP) with questions about Medicare or Medicaid payments that may be affected by the wait for a CCN.

What is a CMS MDS Logon Account?

A CMS MDS logon account, also called a Quality Improvement Evaluation System (QIES) account, is a user name and password (one per person) that MDS coordinators must have in order to submit MDS data and view CASPER reports such as the Final Validation Report, Quality Measures (QM) Report, and Missing Assessment Report. All facilities should have at least one person with a logon account to access the CMS MDS website and CASPER. CMS recommends that each facility have a backup person signed up with a CMS MDS logon account so that the facility can submit MDS data and access reports without interruption if the primary MDS coordinator is unavailable. Each individual must have their own MDS logon account. Most facilities will use the CMS MDS website and CASPER to submit their MDS data and run reports, but some facilities will depend on a corporate entity or third-party agency.

Request a CMS MDS Logon Account

To request a CMS MDS logon account, visit the QIES Technical Support Office (QTSO) website and complete the appropriate MDS (Long Term Care) Personal Login ID Maintenance Form. Most NFs must have their CCN in order to request a CMS MDS logon account (see above). Each individual must have their own CMS MDS logon account. Don—t forget to remove access from anyone who should no longer have access due to departure or a change in job responsibilities. All questions about CMS MDS user names and passwords should be directed to QTSO. Do NOT include your password when contacting QTSO; it is a security violation.

If you are a licensed-only private pay facility completing the "MDS Individual User Account Request," do the following: Under "Reason for Request" enter We are a licensed-only private pay facility and we are required, by the state of Texas, to submit MDS assessments. For "Facility CCN" enter N/A.

Logon Maintenance and Tips

The following information will make managing your CMS MDS user name and password easier.

When creating my logon account, how can I easily remember my answers to the security questions?

When you set up your logon account, pick a "security word" that you will easily remember. We don't recommend using names or numbers directly associated with you or your family. Use "Harry Potter," "asparagus," "chartreuse" or anything else that you will not forget because it is a personal favorite or because you use the word all the time. Enter your security word as the answer to ALL security questions, no matter what the security questions ask. This is actually more secure than you would think; after all, who besides you would guess that "chartreuse" is your answer for "In what town were you born?" If you have already set up the answers to your security questions and wish to change them, then do the following: Go to the CMS MDS data submission website, click on "Unable to login? Click here to reset your MDS User ID/Password," log into the QIES User Maintenance and click on User Profile.

Are there any undocumented steps I should take when my staff or I sign up with a CMS MDS logon account?

It is highly recommended that more than one person at your facility keep a backup record of all user information (name, phone, e-mail, account ID, but NOT password) so that the appropriate information can be entered into the MDS Individual User Account Request to remove any users that depart or change job duties. If backup records are not kept, it may be difficult or more time consuming to remove or replace users.

How do I remove someone's access when they leave or need to be replaced?

Go to www.qtso.com and complete the MDS Individual User Account Request. If you are unsure of the user information for the person who left, refer to the backup record suggested in the above answer. Fill out one MDS Individual User Account Request for each user you want to remove and/or add. If you know who will be replacing the person who departed, put the new person's information into the same MDS Individual User Account Request Form as the removed person.

What if I do not have the personal logon ID for a person who left? What do I put in the MDS Individual User Account Request?

 If you do not know the personal logon ID for a person who left, enter "Unknown."

What if I am new and I do not know who all has access?

Within your facility, confirm those individuals who you know do possess, and should possess, CMS MDS logon accounts. Then complete an MDS Individual User Account Request with the following message: "Please remove ALL users assigned to [provider name] EXCEPT —." and list the facility users who should not be removed. Remember to include personal account IDs for everyone who should not be removed.

What happens if I click on a link on the MDS Welcome Page and I get a screen saying something to the effect of 'Secure Connection Failed 32.80.199.201 uses an invalid security certificate'?

It means that your browser is not currently set to make a secure connection. Click on whatever links and buttons will allow you to accept the security certificate and add a security exception.

What if I forget my password or get locked out?

On the MDS Welcome page:

  • Click on the link "Unable to login? Click here to reset your MDS User ID/Password."
  • Click on the link "Forgot your password or Inactive Account?"
  • Follow the directions.

What causes an account to be inactivated and how do I reactivate it?

If you fail to enter the correct password too many times, your account will be made inactive. If you do not log into the CMS MDS website within 90 days, your account will be made inactive. If you do not log into the CASPER reports website within 90 days, your account will be made inactive the next time you attempt to log into the CASPER reports. To reactivate your user account, do the following:

  • Connect to the MDS Welcome page.
  • Click on the link "Unable to login? Click here to reset your MDS User ID/Password."
  • Click on the link called "Forgot your password or Inactive Account?"
  • Follow the directions.

To avoid getting locked out in the future, be sure to log into the CMS MDS website AND separately log into the CASPER reports website at least once every 60 days.

What if I forget my personal logon ID?

Call the QTSO/QIES Help Desk at 1-800-339-9313. Be ready to give them your provider number (state ID/Medicaid facility ID), name, phone number and e-mail address as you entered them when creating your CMS MDS logon. Do NOT include your password when contacting QTSO; it is a security violation.

After I set up my CMS MDS logon account, do I ever have to worry about my account again?

YES! If your name, phone number or e-mail address change, it is your responsibility to update your user account information. On the MDS Welcome page, click on the link "Unable to login? Click here to reset your MDS User ID/Password," log in and follow the directions for updating your contact information.

Updated: May 1, 2015