Facilities are not required to submit Minimum Data Set (MDS) data until they receive Medicare and/or Medicaid certification. However, if they do wish to access the site and submit TEST data only, they may do so by following the below procedures outlined in this letter.

In order to access the MDS data submission site to submit TEST data prior to Medicare and/or Medicaid certification, nursing homes may apply for user identification numbers and passwords. These numbers are required to allow applicants to enter the data collection system in order to transmit TEST data prior to receiving Medicare and/or Medicaid approval. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) MDS Automation Coordinator (https://www.qtso.com/download/mds/MDS20AppendixB.pdf) can assist you in obtaining the temporary user identification numbers and passwords. You may also contact the State MDS Help Desk at 614-466-0190.

Once Medicare and/or Medicaid approval has been determined, the nursing home must apply for permanent user identification numbers and passwords for access to the MDCN (AT&T Global Client software) by contacting the MDCN help desk at 1-800-905-2069 or via the Internet at (https://www.qtso.com/download/mdcn_questionnaire.pdf).

In order to transmit data, facilities need to install the communications software (separate from the Raven software) that will allow them to access the Medicare Data Communications Network (MDCN). This software (i.e., the AT&T Global Network Dialer for Windows) is available by download from the QIES Technical Support Office (QTSO) at (https://www.qtso.com/mdcn.html) or by contacting the Raven help desk at 1-800-339-9313. The MDCN (AT&T Global Client) is how nursing homes connect to the system to transmit their MDS data.

The facility identifier shown in the heading of this letter is assigned to your facility for purposes of transmitting MDS data (Note: to obtain the password contact the State MDS Help Desk at 614-466-0190. The facility identifier is placed in the header record and detail records of your submission file to identify your facility. the same as your Login ID used for logging into the system.  Note:  This Login and password are not related to the ones referenced in the second paragraph of this letter. In order to enter the MDCN for the test transmission, you must still contact the ODH MDS Automation Coordinator or State MDS Help Desk at 614-466-0190 to obtain the temporary identifiers.

For additional information regarding the MDS process and helpful manuals, please refer to the QTSO website at, (https://www.qtso.com/mds30.html). If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Ohio Department of Health Help Desk at 614-466-0190.

Last Updated: 1/18/11

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