Overview
What is EQRS?
EQRS is an acronym for End Stage Renal Disease Quality Reporting System. In order for all dialysis facilities in the United States and U.S. territories to comply with the Conditions for Coverage, all facilities will use the EQRS application. The current application allows clinics to input patient demographic, admit/discharge and treatment data. It also permits collection of facility and personnel information as well as Clinical Performance Measures (lab values and vascular access).
In order to access EQRS, a new user must obtain a HARP User ID and password. For specific details on registering, see Getting Started.
How do I interact with EQRS?
EQRS is designed for individual users and for Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). Facilities that are part of a Large Dialysis Organization (such as Davita, DCI, or Fresenius) submit most of their data through the EDI process, commonly referred to as Batch Submission. Additionally, other facilities may take advantage of batch submission by connecting their Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system to the National Renal Administrators Association (NRAA) Health Information Exchange (HIE).
If a facility does not submit data through a batch process, all data must be entered manually.
Whichever method is used, it is important to understand that the responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the EQRS data belongs to the facility.
Getting Started
Getting my account
Registering for access to EQRS is a multi-step process. The HARP Quick Start Guide explains the necessary steps to obtain access.
Initial Training
Educational resources and training are provided by a CMS contractor, the EQRS Outreach, Communication, and Training (EOCT) team. EOCT provides New User training each month. Topics include information about the End Stage Renal Disease Quality Reporting System (EQRS) Dashboard, Facility Personnel, Patient Admission, Attributes, CMS Forms, Treatment Data, Clinical Information, Discharges, and the monthly verification of patient data.
Understanding Expectations and Time Frames
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has established expectations and timeframes for completion of data management activities for all users of the EQRS system. These expectations are explained in the ESRD Systems Data Management Guidelines. EOCT has published a useful visual guide, the Deliverable Countdown Stopwatch that you can use as a reference. The Clinical Closure Schedule information is available on the EOCT website, mycrownweb.org.
- ESRD Systems Data Management Guidelines
- The Deliverable Countdown Stopwatch
- Clinical Closure Schedule
Register as a Facility Data Contact for your facility.
The EQRS Dashboard is available when you select End Stage Renal Disease Quality Reporting System from the Programs menu of the QualityNet Secure Portal and choose EQRS, and then click on Dashboard. The Dashboard displays facility specific information in near real time related to forms, accretions, system discharges, as well as clinical data submission.
Form 2728
An initial, re-entitlement, or supplemental form is due within 10 days of the date regular chronic dialysis began, but no later than 45 days.
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Form 2728 Categories |
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Initial |
For all patients who initially receive a kidney transplant instead of a course of dialysis. A patient will only have one Initial 2728. |
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Re-entitlement |
For beneficiaries who have already been entitled to ESRD Medicare benefits and those benefits were terminated because their coverage stopped 3 years post-transplant but now are again applying for Medicare ESRD benefits because they returned to dialysis or received another kidney transplant. For beneficiaries who stopped dialysis for more than 12 months, have had their Medicare ESRD benefits terminated and now returned to dialysis or received a kidney transplant. These patients will be reapplying for Medicare ESRD benefits. A patient may have multiple re-entitlement 2728s. |
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Supplemental |
Patient has received a transplant or trained for self-care dialysis within the first 3 months of the first date of dialysis and initial form was submitted. A patient will only have one Supplemental 2728, if needed. |
Medicare certified dialysis facilities (this does not apply to VHA or transplant facilities) must enter 2728 forms into EQRS. After the form has been completed, a copy must be printed and signed by the patient and physician. An original signed copy (blue ink) needs to be sent to the local Social Security Administration office. Enter the patient's Zip code into the Social Security Administration Office Locator to determine which Social Security Office the 2728 should be submitted to. For facilities that are not required to use EQRS, you may download the Form 2728 (opens in a new browser window) here. CMS instructions are included with the downloaded form.
Form 2746
For facilities that are not required to use EQRS, you may download the Form 2746 (opens in a new browser window) here. This form must be completed by the facility last responsible for the patient’s maintenance dialysis (or home dialysis) and submitted to the Network within 14 days of the date of death. CMS instructions are included with the downloaded form.
Accretions
All Accretion items must be processed within 15 days.
- Some Action List items reflect data already changed and/or corrected in EQRS. The Action List item must be manually accepted or rejected in order to remove it from the list.
- Each Action List item has three options for action.
- Accept: The information provided by CMS (EDB/Other) is correct.
- Reject: The information provided by CMS (EDB/Other) is not correct.
- Investigate: More time is needed to determine the correct resolution option. This option extends the time to resolve the Action List item to 30 days.
- Once the action is selected there are two options to resolve the item.
- Submit: You will have to click the “Ignore Warning” box that appears and click Submit again in order for the item to resolve.
- Escalate: This option allows the facility to escalate the Action List item to the Network. You should not escalate the item to the Network unless:
- CMS reports a date of death for a patient that is still alive
- The patient has transferred to another facility
- The Network specifically asks you to do so
System Discharges
A system discharge occurs when another dialysis or transplant facility admits a patient to their facility before your facility discharges the patient in EQRS. This will only occur when the admission to the next facility has the same transient status as your admission. The system discharge, once it has occurred, will remain until action is taken by your facility to resolve it.
Getting Help When I Need It
The QualityNet Help Desk
By Phone
The QualityNet Help Desk phone number is: (866) 288-8912. They are open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Central Time).
By Email (please do not send patient information other than a EQRS UPI)
ESRD facilities should use email for general questions only. The QualityNet Help Desk must report security incidents to CMS when it receives protected health information or personally identifiable information in unsecured email. QualityNet ESRD Email Address
EQRSOCT
The OCT team provides official communication about EQRS and ESRD QIP primarily through its website MyCROWNWeb.Org. Included on the website are tutorials, guides, training, news, and community events.
CROWNWeb Help Portal
My Network
In addition to the MyCROWNWeb.Org website, your local ESRD Network makes valuable information and assistance available to you. You can receive one-on-one assistance through a scheduled appointment, view Network guides on EQRS topics, attend Network sponsored training events, or contact Information Management staff through email, phone, or fax.
Dashboard and General EQRS Assistance by Appointment
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Network EQRS Guides
Training Events Sponsored by Your Network
Check back for future events.
Information Management Contacts
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Networks |
Name |
Contact (Do Not send patient information by email(only a CROWNWeb UPI can be sent)) |
Position |
Focus |
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NW8, NW14 |
Robert Bain |
Email: Phone: 601.813.0742 Fax: 601.932.4446 |
ESRD Health Information Manager |
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NW8, NW14 |
Sadé Castro |
Email: Phone: 469.916.3805 Fax: 972.503.3219 |
ESRD Health Information Coordinator |
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Managed File Transfer
Managed file transfer is now being made available to ESRD facility staff. This is a secure way to exchange information. For additional information, read the Managed File Transfer Handout.